PhD Position Thermal Management Systems for Sustainable Aviation

The Thermal Management and Air Supply Systems (Thermische and Pneumatic Systemen) project is part of the large (383m€) Dutch Research program on Sustainable Aviation (Luchtvaart in Transitie) funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (Ministerie van Economische Zaken en Klimaat). In this project, the Propulsion and Power group teams up with Aeronamic and NLR with the objective of developing next-generation Vapour Compression Cycle System (VCS) technology to provide thermal management aboard future aircraft. The key component of this system is a unique high-speed centrifugal compressor, characterized by high power density, which extracts the working fluid from the evaporator to deliver it to the condenser. The research activities involve the further development of an in-house software environment to perform multi-point preliminary design optimization of the VCS. Given that the VCS performance strongly depends on the compressor operating map and that the overall system weight has to be minimized, the optimization of the VCS thermodynamic cycle has to be addressed simultaneously with the preliminary design of the compressors and the heat exchangers. To reduce the system model complexity, a reduced-order model of the centrifugal compressor has to be derived and implemented in the in-house software environment. At the same time, as the design specifications of the compressor and those of the thermodynamic cycle depend on the characteristics of the working fluid, part of the research will be dedicated, with the support of the project partners, to the identification of the optimal working fluid for the application. Moreover, the component models of the VCS will be validated by experimental studies in the unique IRIS setup operated by the group. The IRIS implements an inverse organic Rankine cycle and provides a test section for high-speed compressors and another for the testing of heat exchangers.

The outcome of this research project is of relevance not only for aerospace applications but, more in general, for next-generation heat pump technology.

We are seeking an excellent candidate who holds a MSc in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering and can demonstrate:

• A strong drive for research on breakthrough technologies enabling sustainable aviation.
• An aptitude for energy conversion system modeling and experimental work.
• An aptitude for teamwork and effective communication in an international environment.
• The knowledge of programming languages such as Python and Modelica.

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 € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 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 a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. 

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

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!

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 and close 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, 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.