Aircraft noise is a cause of annoyance and severe adverse health effects to millions of people living in the vicinity of airports. In addition, noise emissions remain the biggest inhibitor to aviation growth, since strict noise regulations limit the capacity of airports. The continuous growth of air traffic, only worsens this situation and brings urgency to this matter.

One of the crucial remaining challenges in order to protect the quality of life and living environment around airports is to perform accurate assessment and modelling of the noise annoyance caused by aviation. Conventional sound metrics typically employed for by authorities for noise assessment do not properly consider human perception of sound and, as such, it is highly questionable to use them to assess noise annoyance. In contrast, novel sound quality metrics from the psychoacoustics field are expected to be more suitable for this purpose.

This PhD project will focus on the development of novel perception-based assessment techniques and modelling of aircraft noise annoyance. The PhD researcher will benefit from the extensive in-house expertise in the field. To perform the necessary experiments, the PhD researcher will be able to use the state-of-the-art equipment present at the research group, such as microphone arrays for acoustic measurements and the newly-developed psychoacoustic listening room.

The main objectives of this PhD project are to:

• Determine the main sound characteristics of aircraft noise that influence the perceived annoyance via listening experiments.
• Develop semi-empirical noise annoyance prediction models for current aircraft (turbofan and turboprop), as well as for near-future aviation concepts (unconventional aircraft configurations, drones, urban air mobility vehicles).

Based on experiments in wind tunnels (and potentially full-scale aircraft flyover measurements), assess how innovative aircraft technologies (such as those designed to reduce fuel burn and pollutant emissions) would affect the noise annoyance experienced around airports.

• MSc degree (or equivalent) in aerospace engineering, acoustics, psychoacoustics, (applied) physics, applied mathematics, or mechanical engineering, or a related subject.
• A combination of good mathematical and analytical skills.
• Solid fundamental knowledge on signal processing, acoustic measurements.
• Strong programming skills (e.g. MATLAB or Python) are advantageous.
• High interest in performing experiments is essential.
• Background in the field of psychoacoustics is advantageous.
• Driven, enthusiastic, and independent thinker.
• Ability to work in a project team and take responsibility for own research goals.
• The candidate should have a very good command of English language, in direct communication as well as writing skills and should enjoy working in an interdisciplinary environment.
• The candidate is expected to contribute to an exciting and vibrant atmosphere in the department, and publish work of high scientific quality and participate in international conferences.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts 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.

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 as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

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.