The focus of the research work will be experimental. Specific non-intrusive and intrusive techniques will be used to study fundamental heat transfer problems of interest (they can involve gaseous, liquid, supercritical and two‑phase flows). In addition, novel concepts for heat transfer equipment aimed at aerospace applications will be tested. All experimental results will be analysed using state‑of‑the‑art models, simulation and analysis techniques.

The assistant professor will also be contribute to educational activities within the Propulsion and Power profile of the Flight Performance and Propulsion MSc Program: involvement is foreseen in a new course focused on heat transfer for aviation applications that will be devised and also in the course of Internal Flows. In due course, the participation in a fundamental course in heat transfer at BSc level will be considered.

As a start-up package, funding to hire at least one PhD candidate will be offered.

• Background in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, with a PhD degree awarded by an internationally renowned institution based on research covering experimental aspects of heat transfer and thermodynamics. A specialization in Aerospace Engineering topics is preferred.
• Expertise in experimental heat transfer research, using intrusive and non-intrusive techniques
• Experience in the use of state‑of‑the‑art modelling and simulation techniques for validation and analysis is appreciated.
• Excellent research track record.
• Experience of lecturing and mentoring students at all levels, PhD, MSc and possibly BSc.
• Experience with grant applications, commensurate with the level of seniority.
• Pro-active attitude, team spirit at all levels, and strong communication skills.
• Professional mastering of the English language, both written and spoken (English is the official language of the Aerospace Engineering faculty).

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. 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.

The Department of Flow Physics and Technology is one of four departments composing the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering. Experimental and numerical research on a wide variety of topics is performed by personnel of the Aerodynamics section. The staff of the Flight Performance and Propulsion (FPP) section is active in the research areas of aircraft design, propulsion system design as well as propulsion integration. The third section is Wind Energy, and its people look into wind energy systems of all kinds, and also research Aeroacoustics topics.  

The department has access to comprehensive laboratories with modern wind tunnels and propulsion and power set-ups equipped with state-of-the-art measurement systems. Furthermore, a powerful computer cluster is available for numerical simulations of complex problems.

Flight Performance and Propulsion Section

This vacancy is within the Flight Performance and Propulsion section where fundamental and applied research in the field of aircraft design, propulsion systems, and their integration is performed.

Within the Flight Performance and Propulsion section, several activities in the area of thermal management are ongoing. For example, within the Propulsion and Power group, a code for the automated shape optimization of heat transfer channels is being developed, together with a method for ultra-compact heat exchangers selection and preliminary sizing. Moreover, a numerical study of the Meredith effect in air intakes is being performed and related experiments are planned, as well as experimental and numerical research on the optimal flow distribution in condensers in collaboration with the von Karman Institute.

The Flow Physics and Technology department counts on several setups of the Aerospace Propulsion and Power laboratory and of the Aerodynamics laboratory that can be used for heat transfer experiments. For example, two experimental setups, the ORCHID and the IRIS (links) have been designed to accommodate heat transfer test sections. Moreover, several wind tunnels, can be used to perform air-flow heat transfer experiments. In addition, a large variety of modelling and simulation tools are available for heat transfer studies. Opportunities for collaboration within the department, the Aerospace Engineering faculty, and beyond are numerous.