PhD Position Operational Analysis and Assessment of New Aircraft Concepts

New aircraft concepts and propulsion technologies are being developed to reduce aviation emissions. But how do these new aircraft change operations? This project builds the tools to find this out.

Job description 

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.

To reduce and finally eliminate the carbon footprint of aviation, new propulsion technologies are being developed using hydrogen, batteries, sustainable aviation fuel, and combinations thereof. This will have a large but still unknown impact on operations, airports, and air traffic control.

This PhD project aims to develop future scenarios and metrics for the Netherlands based on these developments to assess specifically the impact on air traffic control and safety. How can we still fly safely and efficiently with these new types of vehicles? What will be the effect of mixing aircraft with completely different performance characteristics (such as operating speeds and climb/descent angles) in the same airspace? How should we design procedures for such a wide range of aircraft types? Another open question is what the effect will be on other ATM technologies/innovations (such as trajectory prediction models, separation automation, collision avoidance systems, Trajectory-Based Operations).

In this PhD project you will develop new safety metrics, and study the relation between capacity, safety, and efficieny in the context of these new technologies. As platform for this research, the open-source, open-data air-traffic simulator BlueSky will be used and extended. Extensions that will be developed are a.o. new metrics, scenario tools, but also user interfaces that allow policy makers and citizens to study the future of Dutch air traffic. This tool will also be integrated in the DASAL laboratory, which includes tools to study other aspects than safety alone, like emissions and noise, in more detail.

Job requirements 

• MSc Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering with specialization for aeronautics
• Strong background in physics and mathematics, ideally knowledge in Air Traffic Management
• Strong background in coding, preferably Python
• Ability to learn independently and passion for research
• Strong communication skills in English
• Team player, open to discussion and constructive criticism
• Previous involvement in scientific research is a plus

TU Delft (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. 

Conditions of employment 
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 € 2901 per month in the first year to € 3707 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.  

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, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. 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 Dr.Joost Ellerbroek, via j.ellerbroek@tudelft.nl. 

Application procedure
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
• Course grade summary

You can address your application to Dr.Joost Ellerbroek. Optionally, upload the best 3 documents (or links to resources) that show your experience in the aforementioned topics.

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.