How do you determine what is the best propulsion system or energy carrier to use when designing aircraft, operating within an environmentally friendly regional network? This could be your challenge!
Job description
Traditionally, the research domains of aircraft design and strategic airline planning are not directly coupled. Some efforts have been performed to enable a more efficient coupling between these disciplines (which could also be extended to other disciplines such as community noise, emissions or trajectory optimization).
The primary focus of this research will be on the integration of architecture optimization (of the power/energy system architecture) within a multilevel optimization framework. Methodology and model development is required to enable the efficient coupling of aircraft family design, fleet allocation, considering the selection of optimal energy/powertrain architecture to minimize fleet-wide emissions. Architecture optimization is considered as the selection of the optimal sub-systems to provide the required functionalities for the aircraft system. E.g. A combination of propulsors, energy carriers, and powertrain layout to enable the most sustainable aircraft family design.
The research should consider:
Model development (MBSE approach to enable architecture optimization)
- Coupling logic development between models
- Including redesign of aircraft families
- Including powertrain architecture optimization
- Evaluating fleet assignment and network planning
- Evaluating fleet wide climate impact
Facilitate future expansion to also include other domain models for optimization (e.g. Noise, climate impact, 4D trajectory optimization) in collaboration with other deparments of the faculty of aerospace engieering.
This PhD position is part of the Dutch Aviation Systems Analysis Lab (DASAL project, a flagship collaboration between TU Delft and Royal NLR, funded through the Dutch national growth fund under the 'Luchtvaart in Transitie' programme. DASAL serves as a living lab for developing integrated models and simulations to support innovation throughout the Dutch aviation sector and public policy. Within this unique ecosystem, you will join a diverse and interdisciplinary team of PhD candidates and postdocs from across the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, collaborating closely with experts at NLR and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management to analyse the complex interactions between sustainability, economics, and societal impact in aviation.
The PhD candidate will be based at the Flight Performance and Propulsion group of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, and will actively collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and PhD candidates from the same Faculty (specifically DASAL MUPPET and DASAL PerfM projects), as well as researchers from the Dutch Aerospace Laboratory (NLR), towards the creation of the Dutch Aviation System Analysis Laboratory.
Requirements
The candidate has an MSc degree in aerospace engineering (or mechanical engineering with a specialization in aerospace engineering) with proven knowledge of conceptual aircraft design, aircraft performance and propulsion system (including hybrid electric), and MDAO (Multidisciplinary Design Analysis and Optimization), as well as proficiency in Matlab and Python. The candidate is expected to operate and extend the Matlab-based TU Delft conceptual aircraft design tool Initiator.
The candidate is proactive and has problem solving attitude, is strong in communication and team work.
Knowledge of the Dutch language as well as familiarity with MBSE principles and modelling languages are pro's.
TU Delft
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.
At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.
Challenge. Change. Impact!
Faculty Aerospace Engineering
The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world's most highly ranked (and most comprehensive) research, education and innovation communities devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. More than 200 science staff, around 270 PhD candidates and close to 3000 BSc and MSc students apply aerospace engineering disciplines to address the global societal challenges that threaten us today, climate change without doubt being the most important. Our focal subjects: sustainable aerospace, big data and artificial intelligence, bio-inspired engineering and smart instruments and systems. Working at the faculty means working together. With partners in other faculties, knowledge institutes, governments and industry, both aerospace and non-aerospace. Working in field labs and innovation hubs on our university campus and beyond.
to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than
22 June 2025
via the application button and upload the following documents:- CV
- Motivational letter
- MSc Diploma
- Supplement (list of courses)
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.
Please note:
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
- A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
- For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.