Aircraft maintenance is of crucial importance to ensure safe and cost-efficient air transport operations. As such, aircraft maintenance is performed periodically according to well-defined schedules and maintenance procedures. Despite this systematic approach, there are many factors that affect the aircraft maintenance process such as unforeseen component breakdowns or insufficient/erroneous data on the condition of components. In turn, this can result in undesirable maintenance-related aircraft incidents. To improve maintenance planning and limit the risk of undesirable, maintenance-related events, in this project a model and simulation of the maintenance process will be developed to analyse maintenance risks. Promising techniques to explore in this project include stochastic Petri nets, rare-event Monte Carlo simulation, data-driven simulations and data clustering techniques.

The position is intended as a full-time appointment, and the work will take place at TU Delft. The researcher will have to work with several European  partners and support project administration     

The successful candidate has:

• A Master of Science degree in  aerospace engineering, applied mathematics, computer science, operations research, mechanical engineering.

• Strong mathematical, analytical and programming skills.

• Interest in modelling and simulation of large, complex systems, involving uncertainty.

• Knowledge of data analysis techniques.

• Excellent communication skills in spoken and written English, and teamwork skills.

• Creativity, positive attitude, and perseverance.

• Knowledge of stochastic modelling is an asset.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

 The successful candidate will be granted a temporary employment contract with the university for a period of 4 years (48 months), with an evaluation at the end of the first year. Within the contract period, the candidate is expected to produce a dissertation (PhD thesis) of sufficient quality for him/her to be awarded a PhD. Benefits and other employment conditions are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.tudelft.nl/phd for more information.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology (the TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. The TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At the TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. The TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

https://www.tudelft.nl

Faculty Aerospace Engineering

The faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world's largest faculties devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. In the Netherlands it is the only research and education institute directly related to the aerospace engineering sector. It covers the whole spectrum of aerospace engineering subjects. In aeronautics, the faculty covers subjects ranging from aerodynamics and flight propulsion to structures and materials and from control and simulation to air transport and operations. In astronautics, topics include astrodynamics, space missions and space systems engineering. The faculty has around 2,700 BSc and MSc students, 225 PhD candidates and 27 professors supported by scientific staff.
The faculty's mission is to be the best Aerospace Engineering faculty in the world, inspiring and educating students through modern education techniques and enabling staff to perform ambitious research of the highest quality for the future of aerospace. The working atmosphere at the faculty is friendly, open-minded and dedicated.

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/ae/