PhD Position in Hydrogen Combustion

Join TU Delft's HyUSE project to revolutionize hydrogen combustion and drive the transition to cleaner, more efficient energy systems!

Job description

The PhD Project focuses on the experimental investigation of hydrogen combustion in sequential combustion systems and  combustion in vitiated environments, both of which are often encountered in many applications such as low NOx burners, furnaces, etc.  Sequential combustion involves burning fuel in multiple stages rather than in a single combustion chamber. In this process, the hot gases produced in the first combustion stage are then directed to subsequent combustion stages, where additional fuel is injected and burned. This staged configuration allows for better control of combustion parameters, reduces pollutant emissions and offers significant advantages in gas turbine operation.

In the combustion lab at TU Delft, we have already developed an optical accessible staged combustor. The objective of the PhD study is to improve and caliberate this set up and to perform state of the art laser diagnostics for better scientific understanding of the staged combustion process involving hydrogen and other fuels mixtures. The PhD candidate will use the experimental findings to finetune the reaction mechanisms and will combine use the improved reaction kinetics mechanisms to identify the main pollution forming pathways.  This improved knowledge should then be translated into design rules for staged combustion of hydrogen or hydrogen rich fuels.

The PhD position is a joint position between the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at TU Delft. The PhD candidate will be working within the chair of Sustainable Aircraft Propulsion at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering in collaboration with the Process and Energy department of Mechanical Engineering. The PhD will work within the Groenevermogen WP3, HyUse project co-sponsored by the Growth Funds of the Dutch Government. The HyUSE consortium is a public private partnership, consisting of  universities, research institutes and industrial partners, and focusing on various usage of Hydrogen within the Dutch Industrial sectors.

Requirements

We are looking for a talented and curious person who is really passionate about combustion science with a Master of Science/Engineering/Technology or equivalent from a reputed University. Prior scientific publications resulting from their MSc thesis or related work would be appreciated. We expect our PhD candidates to work in a team and to be able to communicate and collaborate with other partners in the project as well as other researchers within the research group.

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. 

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.  

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.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Arvind Gangoli Rao, via A.Gangolirao@tudelft.nl, cc to Dr Francesca De Domenico (F.DeDomenico@tudelft.nl). For information about the application procedure, please contact Kerstin Vogl (k.c.vogl@tudelft.nl)      

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 15 March 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Dr. Arvind Gangoli Rao.

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.