Postdoc Aerodynamic Testing of Integrated Nacelle / Wing Model for Future Aircraft

Are you passionate about aerodynamic testing and future aircraft concepts? Apply for a PostDoc position that focuses on the aerodynamics of nacelle/wing models of future aircraft.

Job description

The aviation industry stands at the forefront of its highly-needed transition to sustainable operation. To achieve this, the aviation sector focusus on research and development (R&D) of new technologies that aid towards climinate neutral aviation. Within the Netherlands, the National Growth Fund project `Aviation in Transition’ created an incubator for the development of novel technologies, with the involvement of industry, research institutes, and universities. This particular vacancy is funded through this large project (sub-project HAPSS: Hydrogen Aircraft Powertrain and Storage Systems), and is concerned with the external aerodynamics of the nacelle/wing model.

Thermal management systems (TMS) continue to form a design bottleneck for fuel-cell driven aircraft. For regional aircraft, is is not uncommon for fuel-cell systems to produce in the order of 2 MW of heat per engine, particularly during take-off and top-of-climb. Heat exchangers are used to recover part of the energy of the wast heat: characterizing the aerodynamic pentalties associated with those is key to ensure the aerodynamic efficiency of the overall aircraft.

In the current project, we will focus on the external aerodynamic characterization of a wing model with installed nacelle, representative of the configuration to be used in future aircraft concepts employing fuel cells and the related thermal management systems. In this context, we are looking for a highly skilled and motivated PostDoc researcher who will works on several aspects related with the aerodynamic characterization of the system:

• Design and manufacture wing-nacelle models based on the provided nacelle/wing geometry. The models will be equipped with pressure ports for the measurement of the static surface pressure, from which the aerodynamic loads distributions will be retrieved. Additionally, the models will be equipped with a scaled active heat exchanger.
• Perform combined non-intrusive (full surface) and discrete sensor-based heat transfer and temperature measurements. The sensor measurements will be used to anchor the full surface temperature/heat transfer distributions. These will in turn be combined with flow field measurements, to assess the effectiveness of the heat exchange between flow and structure.
• Conduct force balance measurements for the evaluation of the aerodynamic loads (lift and drag) and moments of the wing-nacelle models at different Reynolds numbers and angles of attack.
• Perform large-scale Lagrangian Particle Tracking (LPT) measurements for the three-dimensional quantitative visualization of the flow field around the wing-nacelle models.

In your position, you will work closely with a young and energetic team which offers a stimulating and inclusive working environment for developing your research & academic skillset. We are looking for candidates at the post-doctoral level (PhD finished).

Requirements
 

We will consider applications based on the following skillsets. If you do not fullfil all requirements, please still apply (there is room for learning-on-the-job).

• A doctorate (PhD degree) with focus on experimental fluid mechanics (e.g., aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or applied physics);
• An aptitude for working in a team and excellent communication skills in spoken and written English;
• Fundamental knowledge of fluid mechanics and viscous fluid flows;
• Strong analytical skills;
• Knowledge of physics and math;
• Knowledge of mechanical design is an asset;
• Strong affinity with and background in design of experiments and experimental techniques;
• Background in Particle Image Velocimetry or Lagrangian Particle Tracking is an asset;
• Affinity with data processing techniques and programming (Matlab and/or Python);
• Hands on with lab-work, skilled in experimental design and hardware construction;
• Creativity, assertive attitude, and perseverance

The selection process will start immediately; the intended start date is in May 2025.

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 

• Duration of contract is 32 months.
• A job of 32-38 hours per week. 

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. 

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. Andrea Sciacchitano, via a.sciacchitano@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 9 April 2025 via the application button and upload the following three pdfs:

Pdf 1 must include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Motivation letter (max 1 page)

Pdf 2 must include:

• Contact information of two references (if desired, support letters can be attached, but they are not needed at this phase of the recruitment).
• Full transcripts of M.Sc. degree and PhD degree in English. In case the transcripts are in another language, please include a translation (certified translation is not needed).

Pdf 3 must include:

• A sample of your scientific research output. This can be (part of) your MSc/PhD dissertation, or a research paper, in which you demonstrate the quality of your research.

Your motivation letter should include, at least, the following:

• Examples of projects and achievements that demonstrate your relevant competences;
• Your motivation for applying to this R&D position;
• Your motivation for working in an academic environment.

After the first selection process, video interviews will be arranged. You can address your application to Dr. Andrea Sciacchitano.

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.