Research Program: Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion (WASP)

The maritime industry faces mounting pressure to achieve the net-zero Greenhouse Gas (GHG) target for international shipping by 2050, a critical step in addressing the climate crisis. Achieving this ambitious goal requires strong collaboration between industry stakeholders, research institutions, and universities to develop and implement new innovative technologies.

In response to this challenge, TU Delft has initiated a multi-disciplinary, interfaculty research program on Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion (WASP). This program is focused on three key research themes:

1. Fluid Dynamics
2. Design and Operation
3. Sustainable and Societal Impact

The program will support 12 PhD positions, each working on different technological aspects of wind-assisted ship propulsion. A dedicated program team will supervise research activities and ensure that scientific findings are translated into improved system-level components and new ship designs. The ultimate aim of the program team is to help the maritime industry leverage wind propulsion technologies, driving future sustainable growth within the shipping sector.

Software Engineer Position

To support research for the development and adoption of wind propulsion technologies, the research program is seeking a Software Engineer who will design, build, and evaluate a cutting-edge performance prediction program for WASP. The selected engineer will play a critical role by developing a modular software framework that integrates both physical and data-driven models. These models will vary in their fidelity and will be developed in collaboration with the various PhD candidates.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing of a software framework for performance prediction of WASP
• Coordinating the implementation of new (external) models into the software
• Coaching PhD students on integrating their research findings into the framework
• Managing the product, ensuring continuous improvements and schedule regular software releases

The performance prediction program will provide high-fidelity modeling capability for independent performance assessments of wind-assisted ship propulsion. It will be adaptable for a variety of ship hull designs, sail and propulsion system configurations, and operating areas, serving as a valuable tool for predicting the efficiency and potential of wind propulsion technologies in different shipping markets.

Team and Working Environment

You will be joining a dynamic, international, and diverse team from the Faculties of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. The team emphasizes a horizontal "team spirit," encouraging collaboration across disciplines, from theory and simulations to practical experiments. The working environment promotes a co-creative, supportive space where all members can grow as students, engineers and scientists. We place a strong emphasis on collegiality and encourage everyone to make meaningful, impactful contributions to the success of the research program.

We are seeking an enthusiastic candidate who has expertise and/or interest in one or more of the following areas: Software development, Development of physics and data-driven models, Python programming, Multidisciplinary design, Towing tank testing, Wind tunnel testing, Data analysis or similar area. You have obtained a MSc or an equivalent degree or expect to obtain an MSc very soon related to these areas (Computer Science,  Data Science, Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or other related fields). Good spoken and written English and the ability to work in a team are mandatory. 

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

• A salary based on scale10 of the CAO for Dutch Universities with a minimum of € 3.345,- and a maximum of € 5.278,- gross per month based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP. 
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

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 Mechanical Engineering

From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Program Manager Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion Albert Rijkens, email: a.a.k.rijkens@tudelft.nl. 

For information about the application procedure, please contact Anita van Vianen, HR advisor, email recruitment-ME@tudelft.nl.