The professorship will be at the Department of Space Engineering (SpE). The candidate is expected to build and lead a research group on advanced technologies for miniaturized spaceborne instrumentation for Earth Atmosphere monitoring planetary observations, in close collaboration to SRON, the Netherlands Institute for Space Research. The objectives of the professorship are integral part of the research and educational portfolios of all chairs of SpE. The research shall cover three focus areas: miniaturized instrumentation technology, system aspects of instruments, and distributed sensing from space. The candidate's research is expected to provide innovative solutions to boost mission return based on a tight coupling of sensor technology, system design, and innovative space architecture.The candidate will initiate and implement structural cooperation within TU Delft, between TU Delft, SRON and other external partners at national and international level and plays a leading role in obtaining funding from national and international programs.The candidate has a vision on the BSc and MSc curricula of the Faculty in general. The candidate will assure and support that the educational portfolio of the SpE department covers the necessary knowledge and skills for spaceborne instrumentation. He/she will be involved in the supervision of MSc and PhD students. The candidate will coach staff members in their work and will promote and support interaction. As a full professor, he/she will support the management of the department. 

The preferred candidate has a successful track record in proposing/designing and/or building space instruments. He/she is expected to have an excellent knowledge of various disciplines related to the technology for spaceborne instrumentation, such as integrated optics, fibre technology, lens-less imaging and (spectro-) polarimetry. 

The candidate has a PhD degree in Science or Engineering and an outstanding scientific record, demonstrated by high quality and widely cited publications in a pertinent field. He/she has profound knowledge and experience in the field of spaceborne instrumentation and is able to integrate this knowledge into successful instrument developments and mission concepts. He/she has a proven track record in securing and managing large research grants. Having a strong network with academia, research organisations and with industry is important. Being an inspiring manager, teacher and student supervisor is highly valued.  

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. TU Delft sets specific standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. If you have less than five years of experience and do not yet have your teaching certificate, we allow you up to three years to obtain this.  

Technische Universiteit Delft

Delft University of Technology (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. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

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 2700 BSc and MSc students, more than 225 PhD candidates and 27 full professors supported by scientific staff. The faculty’s mission is to be the best aerospace engineering faculty in the world that inspires students, staff and society with ambitious research and modern education of the highest quality for the future of aerospace. The working atmosphere at the faculty is friendly, open-minded and dedicated.

The Department SpE is one of four departments within the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering and covers the full cycle of space missions, from early concept to mission operations and applications. The mission of the Department is to educate and research to advance the frontiers of space systems and missions, spaceflight and Earth Observation/planetary science for the benefit of society. Close collaboration with SRON, which will be relocated to the nearby Leiden University Science Campus, will give our research an additional boost. The current scientific staff consists of 29 scientists and there are 22 active PhD students. The Department is an active member in the TU Delft Space Institute. 

The Section Space System Engineering (SSE) has extensive experience with end-to-end engineering of space systems and satellites. Based on the successes of the CubeSat missions Delfi C-3 and Delfi-Next, the Section currently works on the Delfi-PQ satellite with a form factor of 5x5x15 cm3. Linked to spaceborne instrumentation, the Section is nationally leading the initiative of a Deployable Space Telescope with its partners TNO and Airbus Defence & Space Netherlands, is conducting research on space radiation monitoring and is cooperating with other faculties on miniaturization. The Section Astrodynamics & Space Missions (AS) has extensive expertise with mission design including the definition of user needs, end-to-end mission simulations, scientific data processing and applications for Earth observation, planetary exploration and astronomy. The Department is responsible for and/or provides contributions to 10 BSc courses of the Faculty, which are attended by 250-400 students.  The Department is responsible for the Spaceflight track with an influx of about 130 MSc students for the academic year 2019/2020.