The advancements in aerospace engineering, paired with continuing desire to develop more fuel-efficient aircraft, lead to increasingly flexible aircraft designs. Generally, the flexibility is considered as a side effect of the lighter aircraft design and needs to be adequately accounted for to prevent undesired aerodynamics-structure couplings and ensure the optimized aerodynamic shape. However, a fixed-wing shape - generally optimized for the cruise condition - cannot be fully optimized throughout the flight envelope due to conflicting design requirements. 

Researchers in the Smart and Aeroelastic Structures research group developed an active morphing wing concept to utilize structural flexibility. The wing, named SmartX-Alpha, integrates smart sensing, smart actuation, and smart control, enabling simultaneous achievements of multiple objectives: 1) aeroelastic wing shape control; 2) real-time active aerodynamic performance optimisation; 3) active damping enhancement and flutter suppression; 4) active gust and manoeuvre load alleviation. The effectiveness of the SmartX-Alpha wing has been demonstrated by wind tunnel tests in TU Delft. It also won the Hardware Competition at the 2020 American conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures, and Intelligent Systems. The project video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdagIiYRWyA&t=323s

This three-year postdoctoral project aims at designing and testing a free-flying uninhabited aerial vehicle embedded with the SmartX technologies in flight. The impacts of scaling up on aircraft design, sensing, and actuation should be investigated. The technology readiness levels (TRLs) of SmartX should be raised in this project via following a coherent analysis, design verification and validation process. Automtated manufacturing methods for smart aircraft should be explored as well. The flight testing will be supported by the section of Flight performance and propulsion of TU Delft. 

We are looking for an enthusiastic researcher with excellent qualifications, with a doctoral degree or equivalent expertise, but at least an MSc degree, in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related subject. Passion for aircraft and an affinity to aircraft design and flight testing are essential. 

The following skills are required:

• Skilled at manufacturing custom-designed aircraft components;
• Hardware experiences in aircraft avionics;
• Previous (professional/non-professional) working experiences in aircraft design, manufacturing, and flight testing. Please explicitly stress this point in your motivation letter and provide us with some supplementary materials (videos, photo, awards, etc.); 
• Very good English communication skills;
• Enjoy working in an interdisciplinary and multicultural research environment.

Fixed-term contract: 3 jaar.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. 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.

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 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.