Ammonia is one of the most promosing hydrogen carriers and clean, alternative fuels for long-distance shipping and other maritime, or heavy duty applications. When produced from renewable power, ammonia could decarbonize shipping and thus help to achieve the goals of the Paris agreement to combate climate change. This PhD project focused on process safety assessment and management methodological framework to achieve safer design and operation of ships powered by ammonia (NH3).

In this project, the PhD candidate is expected to develop a risk-based or resilience-based approach for designing safety measures for handling various internal or external disruptions. Safety concepts, including segregation, double barriers, leakage detection, leakage isolation, etc will be evaluated via the framework. The opportunity of implementing the Safe-by-Design approach in ammonia storage, transport, and bunkering on board will be explored. This helps to reduce reliance on add-on safety and procedural measures. Major accident scenarios such as ship collisions and groundings will also be studied. Furthermore, adapation and recovery capabilities in the disruptive scenarios of the Ammonia-fueled ships will also be studied.

This PhD project is hosted by the Safety and Security Science Section, TPM, and is part of the NWO AmmoniaDrive program. In this program universities and insutry work together to achieve breakthroughs towards the transition to a zero-emission martime sector. During the project will mainly interact with other researchers in this research program as well as researchers at the section.  

• An MSc degree or equivalent background in process safety, offshore safety or related areas, preferably with a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering;
• A proven record and interest in quantitative risk assessment, risk-based approach, risk management, safety and security science;
• Ability to work independently and in a multidisciplinary team;
• Proficient in written and verbal English communication; and
• Other Graduate Schools Admission Requirements

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.

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 Adviceto 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 valuesand we actively engageto 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 Technology, Policy and Management

With its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy, the Faculty of TPM makes an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. We combine insights from the engineering sciences, the social and the humanities. We develop robust models and designs, are internationally oriented and have an extensive network with knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.

Click hereto go to the website of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management.