Sustainability is one of the biggest challenges the aerospace industry is facing. This challenge has vast scales – from improving air quality and reducing aircraft noise annoyance locally for communities near ever expanding airports to understanding how cruise-level emissions alter the composition of the atmosphere at the global scale and influence the climate. As such, this challenge is interdisciplinary, bringing together multiple fields beyond aviation, like atmospheric science and remote sensing.

The two PhD topics aim to investigate the assessment and mitigation of the environmental impact caused by air transport. One PhD position will focus on the global effects, making use of global aircraft surveillance data, satellite remote sensing data, aircraft performance and emission models, atmospheric models, as well as flight plans and procedures. The other PhD position will focus on the local effects, making use of near-airport noise and air quality measurement data, regional aircraft surveillance data, and associated models. Both PhD research topics will contribute to improved assessment models and new flight strategies that mitigate air transport’s environmental footprint.

Both PhD positions will be hosted in the Sustainable Air Transportation Lab in the Control and Operations Department, the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, with the joint supervision effort from the Air Traffic Management Chair and the Aircraft Noise and Climate Effects Section, as well as the Space Engineering Department. The mission of the Department of Control and Operations is to improve the safety and efficiency of operations in aerospace and to reduce the impact on the environment. The department comprises three sections: Control and Simulation, which focuses on the development of advanced automatic control systems (including the role of the human operator), Air Transport Operations, which aims to improve operational performance in terms of capacity, safety and economy, and Aircraft Noise and Climate Effects, which focuses on reducing aircraft noise, emissions and the effects of aviation on climate change and air quality.     

- The candidates should have a master's degree in an area relevant to the subject, e.g., aerospace engineering, air traffic management, (applied) physics, (applied) mathematics, mechanical engineering, atmospheric science or other related areas. 

- A combination of good mathematical/analytical skills and advanced programming skills (e.g., Python) with a strong interest in interdisciplinary work is advantageous for these two positions.

- Knowledge of machine learning and data mining is also advantageous for these two positions.

Fixed-term contract: 4 jaar.

TU Delft offers PhD-candidates a 4-year contract, with an official go/no go progress assessment after one year. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2395 per month in the first year to € 3061 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology

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 and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

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 250 PhD candidates and over 2,700 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.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.