Assistant Professor in Advanced Autonomous Flight Control

As Assistant Professor in Advanced Autonomous Flight Control, you will develop the autonomous control methods that will shape the next generation of uncrewed aerial vehicles. By advancing agile, robust and cooperative flight control for drones and larger aircraft, you will help enable safe autonomous operations in challenging environments. Join TU Delft and build internationally recognised research while educating the engineers who will transform the future of aviation.

Job description

Autonomous aerial systems are rapidly transforming sectors such as infrastructure inspection, offshore operations, logistics and construction. While today's drones often rely on human operators or waypoint-based navigation, tomorrow's aircraft will increasingly perform complex missions independently, collaborate with other vehicles and safely operate in dynamic, uncertain environments. At the same time, drones provide an ideal platform for rapidly developing and validating advanced flight control concepts that can ultimately be transferred to larger uncrewed and crewed aircraft.

As Assistant Professor in Advanced Autonomous Flight Control, you will join the Control and Operations department within the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology. You will establish a distinctive research programme focused on the transition from direct human or waypoint-based drone control towards smooth, continuous and autonomous aircraft operations in challenging single- and multi-drone scenarios. Your research will address the development of advanced control methods for agile, robust and resilient flight, enabling both individual and cooperative aerial systems to operate safely and efficiently.

Possible research directions include advanced flight control, model predictive control, nonlinear control, fault-tolerant control, cooperative control and aerial manipulation. You will combine theoretical developments with experimental validation using TU Delft's outstanding research infrastructure, including advanced drone facilities and our unique crewed flying laboratories, such as the Cessna Citation and Piper Skymaster.

You will build and lead your own research line by supervising MSc, PhD and postdoctoral researchers, attracting competitive research funding and developing collaborations with leading academic, industrial and governmental partners. Through your work, you will strengthen the faculty's internationally recognised position in autonomous aerial systems while contributing to safer, more efficient and more capable autonomous aircraft.

Education is an integral part of this position. You will teach and further develop BSc and MSc courses in Aerospace Engineering, particularly in flight dynamics and flight control. You will supervise student projects and theses and inspire the next generation of aerospace engineers to develop the autonomous aircraft technologies of the future.

You will become part of the internationally diverse and collaborative Control and Operations department, where you will work closely with experts in flight dynamics, guidance, navigation and control, robotics, artificial intelligence, sensing and experimental aerospace systems. This multidisciplinary environment offers excellent opportunities to build impactful collaborations, establish an internationally recognised research programme and contribute to world-class education and research.

Job requirements

• You hold a PhD in aerospace control, control engineering or a closely related field.
• You have demonstrated expertise in developing advanced flight control methods and validating them experimentally using drone platforms.
• You have experience with both low-level flight control and multi-robot or cooperative control systems.
• You enjoy combining theoretical research with hands-on experimentation using state-of-the-art research facilities, such as drone flight arenas, wind tunnels or crewed flying laboratories.
• You have an emerging or established research profile, demonstrated through high-quality scientific publications and strong research potential.
• You have the ambition and ability to attract competitive research funding and develop national and international collaborations.
• You are passionate about teaching and mentoring students and enjoy supervising MSc, PhD and postdoctoral researchers.
• You have excellent communication skills, thrive in collaborative and inclusive environments, possess an excellent command of English and are willing to learn Dutch within a reasonable timeframe.

Faculty Aerospace Engineering

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is a leading international community where innovation in aerospace meets global challenges. Our support and scientific staff, including PhD candidates, postdocs, and students, largely work together on three main themes: the energy transition, sustainable aerospace, and safety and security, with the aim of tackling climate change and contributing to the independence and security of Europe.

When you join us, you become part of a diverse, collaborative, and forward-thinking environment where your ideas and perspectives are valued. Our work extends beyond the lab—into field labs, innovation hubs, and partnerships with other faculties, research institutes, governments, and industry, both locally and globally.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming workplace, assisted by an active Diversity & Inclusion team. This includes tangible support such as funding for extra personnel for family and caregiving responsibilities, mentoring programmes, and initiatives that promote cultural exchange and integration.

You don’t just join our faculty — you join a community where you can thrive, grow, and help shape the future of aerospace.

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

Conditions of employment 
This position is offered as an Academic Career Track position (0.8 – 1.0 FTE). During the Academic Career Track, we expect you to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. With other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development programme, where you are offered ample opportunities to develop yourself in the areas of Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation. You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development plan and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track. 
 
Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme as part of the Academic Career Track Development programme. 
 
TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years. 
 
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged and you can work partly from home. 

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, provides information and personal one-on-one guidance to help you prepare your relocation, and to find housing and schools for children (if applicable). In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands. 

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Coen de Visser, via C.C.deVisser@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 15 August 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Coen de Visser.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Applying for an exemption for specific research and educational areas is an obligatory part of the selection procedure for this vacancy. This exemption must be obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) before an employment contract is agreed upon. Click here for more information.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.