Recent geo-political developments and related security challenges have accentuated the need for rapid response capabilities by well-coordinated EU naval vessel fleets with advanced platform and systems’ technologies. On the requirements side, rapid adaptability to ever changing scenarios, optimal capabilities deployment and resilience along with high-level situational awareness and minimum human-on-the spot presence are needed. On the solutions side, high vessel automation along with safe communications and effective combat management must be provided. In addition, EU naval fleets are committed to reduce their environmental footprint by intelligent use of Power and Propulsion Energy (PPE) systems and clean fuels.

The relations between the naval vessel functions and the corresponding physical vessel systems must be referenced and implemented in the vessel architecture so that the impact of design choices and new technologies can be made visible. This also means that differing naval missions and environmental conditions require different vessel solutions and Concepts of Operations (CONOPS). The ability to capture the European operational concepts, the required functionalities, and specific constraints per intended CONOPS can be provided by a common System Architecture for European navies.

Project EUROGUARD will combine state-of-the-art and innovative technologies to study, design, prototype and demonstrate the viability of a versatile medium-sized semi-autonomous surface (MSAS) naval vessel. In addition, the MSAS will also demonstrate the benefits offered by a common System Architecture for future European semi- and fully autonomous naval ships.

This PhD project specifically aims to support the development of a Generic European Naval System Architecture (GENSA) based on Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and applicable to future European autonomous naval vessels and CONOPS. The PhD will support the GENSA in the areas of:

1. Feasibility studies, incorporating vessel CONOPS in coordination with stakeholders,
2. Design, by tailoring the GENSA model to support early stage ship design activities leveraging state-of-the-art ship synthesis models,
3. Digital prototyping, and validation by means of case studies, and
4. Final testing and recommendations for naval ship designers on the use of GENSA during early stages of design of future naval ships.

We are seeking an enthusiastic PhD candidate who has expertise and/or interest in one or more of the following areas: complex or naval ship design, digital engineering or model-based systems engineering, ship systems modeling, or similar area.

You have obtained a MSc or an equivalent degree or expect to obtain an MSc very soon related to these areas (naval architecture, marine engineering, digital engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other related fields).

Good spoken and written English and the ability to work in a team are mandatory. 

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 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 Austin Kana, email: a.a.kana@tudelft.nl.