At the Section of Space Systems Engineering, we are offering a tenure-track position at the level of Assistant Professor specialising in Space-borne Laser Communication technologies. The Assistant Professor will be able to develop existing research further and to bring in new topics within Space-borne Laser Communication which have a clear societal relevance and offer attractive valorisation opportunities. This includes but is not limited to, for example, miniaturization of laser communication terminals, multi-beaming, adaptive optics, optomechanical optimization, high precision pointing, as well as acquisition and tracking. The research shall be a natural part of at least one of the two focus areas of the Section: Miniaturization and Distributed Space Systerms. As the Section also is developing highly miniaturized satellites, this provides the opportunity to integrate novel research in real space missions and closely interact with a team of researchers, engineers and students. The research will allow us to strengthen and extend relationships with industry, knowledge institutes and agencies. The quality of research will be competitive on the level of European research programmes. In addition to research, the position comprises an equal amount of education, including teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels and supervising MSc and PhD students. Rank and salary are commensurate with qualifications and professional experience.

A Tenure Track, a process leading up to a permanent appointment with the prospect of becoming an Associate or full Professor, offers young, talented academics a clear and attractive career path. During the Tenure Track, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop into an internationally acknowledged and recognised academic. We offer a structured career and personal development programme designed to offer individual academics as much support as possible. For more information about the Tenure Track and the personal development programme, please visit this website.

Department
The mission of the Department of Space Engineering is to educate and research to advance the frontiers of space systems and missions, spaceflight and planetary science for the benefit of society. The department consists of two research groups: Astrodynamics and Space Missions, and Space Systems Engineering. It runs an integrated research programme comprising miniaturisation, distributed space systems, mission analysis and orbits, and planetary exploration. The department operates a cleanroom facility for the design, integration, and verification of assemblies up to entire satellites. It is an active member of the TU Delft Space Institute and operates in close cooperation with universities worldwide, research institutes and the space industry.                  

We are looking for candidates who:

• Have a proven background in space engineering demonstrated by a PhD degree in Aerospace, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or Physics;
• Have a publication record that demonstrates their research in the field of Space-borne Laser Communication;
• Have an outstanding research record as demonstrated by excellent publications;
• Have the affinity with the engineering of real space systems;
• Have the capability to high-quality teaching at university level;
• Have the ability to initiate and direct research projects demonstrated by obtained external funding and supervised students;
• Have excellent communication and soft skills;
• Are open-minded team players;
• Have an international profile with an active international network of scientific contacts.     

Fixed-term contract: 6 years.

A tenure-track position is offered for six years. In the fifth year we’ll decide if you will be offered a permanent faculty position, based on performance indicators agreed upon at the start of the appointment. We expect that you have the potential to grow towards an Associate Professor and/or Full Professor role in the future.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme.
TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (salary indication: € 3746 - € 5127). The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

Delft University of Technology

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 and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

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 250 PhD candidates and over 2,700 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.