At the Chair Astrodynamics and Space missions (AS) of the Space Engineering Department of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, a PhD position (4 year term) is vacant on the topic of satellite SAR altimetry. Altimetry is the measurement technique par excellence for monitoring ocean and ice levels from space on global and local scale, and indispensable for climate research. SAR altimetry is a new altimeter technique that started with the CryoSat-2 mission and increases the resolution considerably. With this new technique however came a problem extracting wave heights properly, degrading the sea level retrieval and sea state estimation. It is suggested that this has to do with the presence of swell (long-wavelength surface gravity waves).
The PhD candidate has to quantify this swell dependency for wave magnitude, period and direction, to derive correction models for it, and to investigate the impact of these corrections to the sea level (climate) record. For this the PhD candidate will compare CryoSat-2 and Sentinel-3 altimetric SAR with Sentinel-1 imaging SAR, with wave data from other sources and investigate (even) higher-resolution fully-focused processed SAR altimetry. The study will also serve other (upcoming) missions: Sentinel-6 (launch late 2020) will enable direct comparison of low-resolution altimetry with reduced SAR, standard SAR and full SAR altimetry, providing a perfect platform to calibrate and validate the results. The PhD candidate will publish the results through a dissertation which collects at least 3 peer reviewed papers on (parts of) the study.

Applicants should have a Master degree from a renowned institution in Aerospace, Civil, Earth sciences, Climate or Geodetic Engineering, or another area deemed relevant for the proposed research. Acquaintance with satellite altimeter processing and research is considered an asset. Strong motivation, creativity, and proactivity are welcomed, as well as good interpersonal communication skills. A combination of good mathematical/analytical skills and interest in ocean/ice research is required. Applicants should be good in spoken and written English, and willing to improve to faciltate publishing the results.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. Coming to Delft Service organizes diverse events for new international employees and their accompanying partners, like Partner Career Workshops and Dutch Culture Workshops. Located on campus are the International Children's Centre and an international primary school which are subject to availability as well as several bilingual schools in the nearby surrounding. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.tudelft.nl/phd for more information.

Technische Universiteit Delft

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

Faculty Aerospace Engineering

The faculty of Aerospace Engineering at TU Delft is one of the world's largest faculties devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. In the Netherlands it is the only research and education institute directly related to the aerospace engineering sector. It covers the whole spectrum of aerospace engineering subjects. In aeronautics, the faculty covers subjects ranging from aerodynamics and flight propulsion to structures and materials and from control and simulation to air transport and operations. In astronautics, topics include astrodynamics, space missions and space systems engineering. The faculty has around 2,500 BSc and MSc students, more than 200 PhD candidates and 25 full professors supported by scientific staff.
The faculty’s mission is to be the best aerospace engineering faculty in the world that inspires students, staff and society with ambitious research and modern education of the highest quality for the future of aerospace. The working atmosphere at the faculty is friendly, open-minded and dedicated.
The Astrodynamics and Space missions Chair (AS) of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering is specialized in the use of space techniques to advance satellite orbit dynamics and geodesy as scientific disciplines, and to contribute to advanced satellite orbit computations, gravity field determination, modern tracking concepts, and geodesy to global change studies, geodynamics, oceanography, and geophysics. Precise orbit determination and in conjunction conservative and non-conservative force modelling belong to the key research areas of AS. In addition, AS has been involved for a long time in altimeter calibration and validation activities and the construction of the renowned Radar Altimeter Database System RADS, which enjoys a large science user-community.