Postdoc Optimal Desing of Fuel Cell Air Supply Systems

Advancing hydrogen aviation: optimize compressor design of the air supply system to boost fuel cell poweetrain efficiency and reliability.

Job description

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions in aviation, hydrogen fuel cell technology has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional kerosene-based propulsion systems. A key component of fuel cell powertrains is the air supply system, which demands the development of a highly loaded, lightweight turbo-compressor.

The objective of this research project is to develop a surrogate model of the compressor to enable the simultaneous optimization of both the air supply system specifications and the preliminary design of the turbocompressor.

The researcher will identify a suitable reduced-order modeling technique, e.g.Physics-based AI models, for the compressor design problem and will utilize an in-house turbomachinery design tool to generate a database of optimized compressor designs for model training and regression.     

Job Requirements

We are seeking an excellent candidates who performed research related to propulsion sytems and can demonstrate:

• A strong drive for research on breakthrough technologies enabling sustainable aviation
• A strong aptitude for modeling
• An aptitude for team-work and effective communication in an international environment.

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 1 year Temporary
• A job of 38-40 hours per week. 
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP. 
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year. 
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages. 
• Flexible working week. 
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget. 
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses. 
• Partially paid parental leave 
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program. 

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 Carlo De Servi, via c.m.deservi@tudelft.nl or .

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 1 November 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV, including phone number, email address, educational background, language skills, and work experience
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Carlo De Servi.

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.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.