Three positions are available in two projects:

Project 1: eVTOLUTION

Together with several partner institutes, in this project we aim to develop a multi-fidelity framework for the design, simulation, and optimization of electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft for Urban Air Mobility (UAM).

PhD position 1

Title: PhD position – Low-fidelity aeroacoustic prediction of eVTOL vehicle under operation

Description: The objective is to develop a prediction tool of the noise of an eVTOL vehicle based on incoming gusts/atmospheric turbulence and on accelerating/manoeuvring, which also considers urban, environmental, and atmospheric effects on noise propagation. The model will be used to include noise in the planning and control of eVTOL missions. Furthermore, the tool can be used for an oriented redesign of the vehicle and to develop an informed controller to reduce noise emissions to the ground.

PhD position 2

Title: PhD position - Aeroacoustic-oriented design and experimentation of eVTOL vehicle

Description: In this position, a reference eVTOL vehicle will be proposed. This vehicle should represent a realistic airframe, and will be used as reference platform for validating the models proposed in the project. The design needs to satisfy several criteria regarding noise sources, propulsion systems, and alignment with sub-assemblies tested in the project. High-fidelity simulations will be used for the study of the acoustic and aerodynamic properties of the vehicle. These simulations will be later validated with experimental campaigns carried out on a scaled model of the vehicle. The data obtained from the reference vehicle will also be used to inform low-fidelity and data-driven models in the project and to quantify the differences observed from the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic interactions that are commonly neglected in the sub-system and component analysis.

Project 2: AMPERE

The project proposes the derivation of a new physical model based on an electric circuit analogy, for creating new permeable geometries that smartly use all their paths. This, in turn, enables the obtainment of the highest noise abatement within a negligible part length. A step ahead in our sound-control solutions is required to meet the environmental targets set for a number of sectors, particularly in aeronautic and wind-turbine applications. Current passive flow‑permeable strategies tend to expose a predominantly random distribution of channels to the airflow, which, in the end, chooses the one with the lowest flow resistance. This means that the remaining material creates a loss of lift and an increase in drag, making the noise reduction purposeless.

PhD position 3

Title: PhD position – Novel multi-path permeable materials for aerodynamic-noise mitigation

Description: First, the candidate will perform high-fidelity simulations on a simplified setup, i.e., a flat plate equipped with a structured porous material, to extend the existing one‑dimension permeable laws to materials with multiple communication paths under different flow conditions. Second, he/she will exploit the knowledge acquired at the previous point to derive a frequency-domain response function for different combined materials in a multi-layer form using an equivalent circuit model. This will make it possible to propose innovative designs for permeable multi‑path and multi-layer materials that will be tuned to leading and trailing-edge noise industrial applications. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed designs will be verified by means of technological demonstrators. In this way, practical aspects related to implementations and limitations dictated by company requirements will be addressed.

We are seeking for excellent candidates with suitable backgrounds for the positions. Required for the applications:

• MSc in Aerospace Engineering, Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering or alike related to the description of the respective PhD position;
• A strong interest and motivation in the investigation, application, or modeling of aeroacoustic processes;
• A curiosity-driven mindset and a motivation for conducting scientific research in a PhD framework.

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.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 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 € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 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 a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

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 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.

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