Postdoc on Heat Transfer Phenomena in Manufacturing Discontinuous Fibre Composites

Join us in redefining aerospace: recyclable materials, smarter designs, sustainable skies. 

Job description

The path to sustainable aviation relies on innovative, efficient production technologies. Thermoplastic composites, combined with novel material architectures, are central to this transition, enabling recyclable, lightweight structures. Research now targets energy-efficient, automated processes and machinery to deliver high-quality components for the next generation of aircraft.

This postdoctoral project aims to experimentally characterize the temperature distribution and heat transfer during the heating of microscopic aggregates of thermoplastic cut tapes, with the goal of accelerating process development for circular materials. You will generate valuable multi-scale data (micro- to mesoscopic) relevant to the manufacturing of aerospace thermoplastic composites, and will play a key role in linking experiments with simulations from a companion PhD project. The work will involve close collaboration with industrial partners and is expected to provide both fundamental insight and practical guidance for advanced composite processing.

The project is conducted at the department of Aerospace Materials and Structures (ASM) of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering (AE) and will be embedded within the Lightweight Composites and Structures project of the "Luchtvaart in Transitie" (LiT) initiative, which brings together a variety of companies and knowledge institutes to develop materials, production technology and structures for ultra-efficient aircraft. This large-scale initiative of the Dutch growth fund is aligned with the mission of the ASM department to make aviation and spaceflight more sustainable by developing novel structures and materials that have a smaller environmental footprint by using less energy and enabling easier recycling, while simultaneously researching how to make structures smarter, lighter and safer, to support the transition to new sources of energy.

Job Requirements

We are seeking for an excellent candidate having knowledge on aerospace composite materials and structures with an interest in advanced experimental approaches for thermomechanical manufacturing processes while having and affinity to supporting numerical methods.

In particular, we look for a candidate with 

• A PhD in an appropriate discipline, including Aerospace, Mechanical, Civil or Electrical , Materials Science Engineering 
• Experience with experimental and manufacturing techniques, preferably for thermoplastic composites
• A curiosity-driven mindset and a strong motivation of conducting independent research
• Inclination for team-work and effective communication in an international environment
• Desire to publish scientific articles and participate in project meetings and international conferences

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 2 years Temporary
• A job of 38 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 Prof. Clemens Dransfeld, via C.A.Dransfeld@tudelft.nl or Dr. Sergio Turteltaub via S.R.Turteltaub@tudelft.nl.  

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 12 October 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Prof. Clemens Dransfeld.

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.