PhD in Airport Operations for Future Zero Emission Aircraft Delft • TU Delft

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Challenge: Airport ecosystems are not ready yet for new zero emission aircraft

Change: Develop optimisation and simulation models for airport operations for zero emission aircraft.

This PhD position is part of the Dutch Aviation Systems Analysis Lab (DASAL project, a flagship collaboration between TU Delft and Royal NLR, funded through the Dutch national growth fund under the ‘Luchtvaart in Transitie’ programme. DASAL serves as a living lab for developing integrated models and simulations to support innovation throughout the Dutch aviation sector and public policy. Within this unique ecosystem, you will join a diverse and interdisciplinary team of PhD candidates and postdocs from across the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, collaborating closely with experts at NLR and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management to analyse the complex interactions between sustainability, economics, and societal impact in aviation.

To achieve the ambitious goals of climate neutrality by 2050, the aviation sector is actively investing in the development of new disruptive technology, infrastructures, and operational concepts. Electric, hybrid-electric, and hydrogen-powered aircraft are considered to be key enablers of the drive towards sustainable aviation. The existing equipment manufacturers and multiple startups have announced plans to put on the market a range of these zero emission aircraft in the coming decades. However, considerable efforts are still to be made to prepare the aviation ecosystem, airports in particular, to the arrival of these new aircraft. It is expected that in the future zero emission aircraft with different propulsion systems will operate next to each other, and airports would need to provide the necessary infrastructure, and ensure safe and efficient handling of these aircraft. Furthermore, in the coming transition period, zero emission aircraft need to be integrated with the operations of the existing conventional aircraft. 

Your unique challenge as a PhD candidate at TU Delft is to develop concepts, optimisation and simulation models, and tools to facilitate integration of electric, hybrid-electric, and hydrogen-powered aircraft into airport operations and infrastructure. Requirements related to the airport infrastructure and aircraft ground handling differ depending on the type of energy carrier and the propulsion system of the aircraft. In particular, for electric aircraft, battery charging infrastructure and related operations need to be addressed, whereas for hydrogen-powered aircraft, hydrogen storage, distribution, and refuelling need to be considered. Furthermore, zero emission aircraft will require additional safety measures, which may have an effect on other performance areas of airport operations. Would you like to help airports achieve safe and reliable, but at the same time flexible and efficient zero emission aircraft operations?

This PhD project continues the research line on sustainable airport operations at the Operations and Environment section at TU Delft. This existing research in modelling and optimisation of airport operations for conventional, electric, and hydrogen-powered aircraft will be a significant stepping stone for this PhD project.

• MSc Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Research or another relevant subject
• Strong background in mathematics, ideally knowledge in optimisation and simulation techniques
• Strong background in coding, preferably Python
• Ability to learn independently and passion for research
• Strong communication skills in English
• Team player, open to discussion and constructive criticism
• Previous involvement in scientific research is a plus

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! 

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.  

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.dr. Alexei Sharpanskykh, via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina..

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 22 June 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter
• Course grade summary 

You can address your application to Dr.dr. Alexei Sharpanskykh. Optionally, upload the best 3 documents (or links to resources) that show your experience in the aforementioned topics. Time to shine!

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.