We are seeking a talented postdoctoral researcher to work on the Horizon 2020 project HYLENA (HYdrogen eLectrical Engine Novel Architecture). This role focuses on developing  a combustion chamber tailored for providing additional power during take-off and landing phases in engines powered by Solid Oxide Fuel Cell-Gas Turbine (SOFC-GT) technology. This position offers an exciting opportunity to advance aerospace propulsion systems through innovative combustion technologies.

Project Description:

The integration of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) with gas turbines (GT) presents a promising approach for enhancing aircraft propulsion efficiency. However, optimizing power delivery during critical phases such as take-off and landing requires specialized combustion chambers capable of rapid response and high energy output. This project aims to design, model, and validate a combustion chamber that efficiently supplements SOFC-GT power generation during transient conditions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and Modeling: Develop advanced computational models of the combustion chamber, considering rapid response characteristics and high energy density requirements.
• Simulation and Optimization: Conduct simulations to optimize combustion chamber performance under transient operating conditions, focusing on power augmentation during take-off and landing phases.
• Technology Development: Explore innovative combustion technologies, including combustion stability enhancement and emissions reduction strategies.
• Research Collaboration: Work closely with a multidisciplinary team to integrate combustion chamber designs into SOFC-GT systems and assess overall performance improvements.

Join us in shaping the future of aerospace propulsion and contributing to the development of efficient, sustainable aircraft systems.  

In order to be considered for this position, you should have:

• PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong background in combustion chamber design, combustion dynamics, and thermal management.
• Proficiency in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools and combustion modeling software.
• Experience with experimental validation techniques and data analysis.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research team.

Experience in collaborative projects and fuel-cell systems would be advantageous.

Working at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well.

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. 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.