Challenge: Develop LCA methodologies compatible with structural design and the energy transition in aviation
Change: Design paradigm beyond lightweight
Impact: More sustainable aircraft structures
This position is part of the Dutch Aviation Systems Analysis Lab (DASAL) project, a collaboration between TU Delft and Royal NLR within the Dutch Luchtvaart in Transitie programme. DASAL develops computational and simulation models to assess the effects of aviation innovations and policy choices on sustainability, economic, and societal impact.
The life‑cycle impact of conventional and commercial aircraft is largely driven by their fuel efficiency, given the large number of flight hours these vehicles accumulate. From a structural design perspective, this efficiency primarily translates into lightweighting, driving most current research toward lighter structures. However, the energy transition in aviation poses new scenarios that may affect the aforementioned relationship between life‑cycle impact and fuel efficiency. For instance, the use of green hydrogen as a low‑emission fuel might bring to the forefront other life‑cycle aspects beyond fuel efficiency, potentially introducing significant changes in the design principles for novel structures. Additionally, hybrid and electric aircraft will require unprecedented levels of maintenance related to battery exchange, which will also drive structural designs toward easier‑to‑maintain options.
The LCA community uses life‑cycle analysis as a decision‑making method rather than a quantitative objective function, yet designs are usually defined by quantitative indicators, such as the mass of the system, costs to acquire and process raw materials, costs to manufacture the designed parts, and so forth. Therefore, this PhD research will have the challenge of defining structural design‑compatible LCA methods that are accurate enough to produce the minimum level of certainty compatible with conceptual and preliminary design phases, and enable a good trade‑off.
Furthermore, to answer some of the research questions, the PhD researcher might need to define experiments aimed at refining some of the LCA assumptions or data that will be considered critical during the research.
Preliminary research questions for the PhD project are:
- While traditionally structural design in aerospace focuses on lightweighting, what other life‑cycle design focal points can be expected with currently intended transitions in aerospace, including the use of hydrogen, hybrid and electric aircraft?
- How to create LCA scenarios to evaluate technologies that could enable breakthroughs in sustainable structural design?
- The above questions will be further refined, and more research questions will be defined by the PhD candidate in the first months of their research.
In addition to the main project, you may contribute to educational and ongoing research initiatives within the group, leveraging your expertise. You will also have the opportunity to explore and develop your own ideas and research directions.
The first supervisor of this PhD position will be an Assistant Professor dedicated to life‑cycle assessment for structures, and the promotor will be Irene Fernandez Villegas, Associate Professor, both working in the Department of Aerospace Structures and Materials, within the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology.
Job requirements- A master’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related discipline.
- Strong interest in structural design, sustainability, life‑cycle analysis, and experimental testing.
- The capacity to work independently and as a team member.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate with researchers from different disciplines.
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4‑year period of employment in principle, but in the form of two employment contracts. An initial 1.5‑year contract with an official go/no‑go progress assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3,059 – €3,881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a full‑time contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end‑of‑year bonus of 8.3%.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline‑related and research skills.
Application procedureAre you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 1 July 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
- Detailed CV
- Motivational letter
- Strong recommendation letter from your MSc supervisor(s)
- Copies of your BSc and MSc degrees and transcripts
You can address your application to Irene Fernandez Villegas. In the motivation letter, please describe the main challenges you expect in characterising material deformation and damage under cryogenic conditions using optical measurement techniques.
Interviews will be held in the second half of August.
Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English‑taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements: https://www.tudelft.nl/onderwijs/opleidingen/phd/admission.
Additional informationIf you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Irene Fernandez Villegas at i.fernandezvillegas@tudelt.nl. For information about the selection procedure, please contact the ASM secretary team at secr-ASM-LR@tudelft.nl.
Faculty/Department: Faculty of Aerospace Engineering
FTE: 1
Submission is possible until: 1 Jul 2026
€3059 - €3881 monthly