Researcher in Aerodynamic Performance Assessment and Optimization of Future Aircraft

Are you passionate about sustainable aircraft technologies? Join our team and help shape the future of aviation through cutting-edge aerodynamic design solutions for fuel-cell powered aircraft.

Job description

The aviation industry is entering a critical phase in its transition toward sustainable and climate-neutral operations, an ambition that hinges on the development of disruptive technologies. In the Netherlands, this transformation is driven by the National Growth Fund project Aviation in Transition, a collaborative innovation hub involving industry, research institutes, and universities.

As part of this initiative, we are looking for a highly skilled and motivated researcher or R&D engineer to join the sub-project Hydrogen Aircraft Powertrain and Storage Systems (HAPSS). This role focuses on aerodynamic design assessment and optimization at the full aircraft level, supporting the development of hydrogen-fueled propulsion through advanced computational modeling and high-fidelity simulation. Main tasks include:

• Development of digital twins that facilitate fast-turnaround simulations for the aerodynamic optimization of aircraft with innovative propulsion systems and the accurate assessment of the aerodynamic performance of the final configuration through high-fidelity Large Eddy Simulations (LES);
• Performing cutting-edge LES for the accurate performance assessment at key flight conditions;
• Identification of aerodynamic interference issues and the development of effective mitigation strategies.

We are looking for candidates at the post-doctoral level and/or candidates with relevant work experience as R&D engineer who are interested in a position as research engineer (MSc required). In this position, you will work closely with partners from industry and as part of a young and energetic team. We offer a stimulating and inclusive working environment for developing your research and academic skillset, and the opportunity to contribute to multi-disciplinary projects related to computational fluid dynamics.

Job requirements 

We invite applications from postdoctoral researchers and experienced R&D engineers with an MSc degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field. Ideal candidates will bring a mix of technical expertise, collaborative mindset, and a drive for innovation. We will assess applications based on the following skillset:

• Proven ability to work effectively in international academic teams and in close collaboration with industry partners;
• Excellent communication skills in both spoken and written English;
• A creative, proactive, and perseverant attitude toward problem-solving;
• Strong analytical skills and a solid foundation in physics, mathematics, aerodynamics, and computational fluid dynamics;
• Affinity with high-performance computing (HPC) and software development;
• Hands-on experience with parallel programming in C/C++ or Fortran, and GPU programming using CUDA or OpenACC.

Don't meet every requirement? We still encourage you to apply if you are motivated and eager to develop the necessary skills on the job.

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 3 years Temporarily with a posibility for extension
• A job of 32-40 hours per week. 
• A salary based on Schaal 10 of the CAO for Dutch Universities with a salary between €3378 - €5331 gross per month based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.  
• 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. 

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Prof. Hickel, via S.Hickel@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 20 July 2025 via the application button and upload the following three PDF's:

PDF 1 must include:

• Motivation letter (max 1 page)
• Curriculum Vitae

PDF 2 must include:

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

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 as lead author.

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 Prof. Hickel. The selection process will start immediately. The intended start date is September 2025. 

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.