Planets form in discs of gas and solids around young stars. Initially, these solids are tiny dust specks, smaller than 1 micron. In order to form a planet like Earth, or the core of a giant like Jupiter, these dust specks need to come together to form much bigger bodies. The larger and more compact the solid objects, the more difficult this becomes: as we know from experience around the house, dust likes to accumulate, but trying to make two metre-sized boulders to stick together is much harder. Traditional growth methods stall around 1 cm, failing to make planets. At this point, friction between solids and gas leads to fast inward drift of the pebbles, where they can be lost in the central star.

The ERC-funded programme DUSTSPEC is aiming to make progress on this issue by creating the next level computer simulations of forming planets. These simulations focus on the crucial interaction of the solid component with the gaseous component of the disc (friction) and solid-solid interaction (collisions resulting in sticking or shattering). In particular, the focus will be on the evolution of the size distribution in solids. How many dust specks, pebbles, boulders, or planets are present at any time in the disc?

The PhD positions will be hosted in the Planetary Exploration group at the faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology. You will join the DUSTSPEC team led by dr. Sijme-Jan Paardekooper, tackling the most pressing questions in planet formation. One PhD project will focus on the early stages of planet formation, using Machine Learning to create better algorithms to deal with dust growth in the presence of gas. The second project will focus on the final stages of planet formation: when do planets stop growing? Both projects will involve hydrodynamical simulations of protoplanetary discs containing gas and solids of multiple sizes. 

• Applicants should have a Master degree in Astrophysics, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related area.
• Affinity and experience with numerical work are considered assets.
• Good programming skills are required.

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 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 270 PhD candidates andclose to 3000 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, governmentsand 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.