There are several storage options available for hydrogen, including liquid hydrogen (LH2), compressed hydrogen (CcH2), and gas hydrogen (GH2), each with their own advantages and disadvantages. An intelligent combination of these different storage states is expected to make it possible to use the exergy in the system, i.e. the difference in enthalpy between storage states, to reduce requirements on thermal isolation whilst increasing the dormancy time of the storage system. In this PhD research the candidate will explore a potential design methodolgy for multi-state hydrogen storage systems, that are centered around a central cryo-compressed hydrogen storage tanke. The work will be divide in three main tasks:

1. Sizing of the multi-state hydrogen storage tanks.
2. Performance optimisation of composite pressure vessels (CPV) operating at different states.
3. Structural unification of multi-state storage tanks.

As PhD candidate you will be a member of the TRIATHLON project, a Horizon Europe project that will facilitate foundational research needed to develop robust, low-maintenance, and low-emission hydrogen-electric powertrains for megawatt-class aircraft. TRIATHLON stands for Thermodynamics-driven control management of Hydrogen powered and electrified propulsion for aviation. The project is run by a consortium from universities and SME's spread over six different countries. You will be one of five PhD candidates within the project. TRIATHLON will bring large-scale sustainable aviation one step closer to reality.

The entry date is as soon as possible.

• MSc degree in computational mechanics, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, applied physics, applied mathematics or a closely related discipline with above average grades.
• You are enthusiastic about composite materials and have in-depth knowledge of their analysis methods.
• You have a strong interest in computational mechanics.
• You have strong mathematical modelling skills.
• You have experience in the field of numerical modelling.
• You have experience in the field of finite element methods.
• You have good programming skills.
• Experience with composite manufacturing is a plus, but not required.
• Experience with hydrogen storage is a plus, but not required.
• Experience with programming in C++ is a plus, but not required.
• Experience with Linux is a plus, but not required.
• You are a team player and independent, solution-oriented and structured.
• You are confident in discussing your work with colleagues and presenting your work to others.
• You are proficient in the English language and are comfortable working in an international research environment.

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 € 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

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 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.