Performance prediction of open cathode fuel cells in UAS flying under variable weather conditions

30 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

KU Leuven

Research Field

Engineering

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Belgium

Application Deadline

14 Jun 2024 - 00:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38 hours/week

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

BAP-2024-199

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS or drones) progressively become key in modern society. They are used in various domains such as surveillance, logistics, maintenance, and communication, both on- and offshore. For extended missions, UAS cannot rely on batteries alone because of the restricted energy density associated with this technology. Rather, when sustainable flights are desired, hydrogen can be employed combined with fuel cells. Having a dependable fuel cell system in UAS is paramount, especially in critical applications or in populated areas.

 

The PhD project focusses on the study and analysis of a hybrid propulsion system using a fuel cell in medical drones. The performance of the fuel cell must be assessed in a variety of operation conditions and predicted according to forecasted flight conditions. This involves consulting various online data-sources and decision-making.

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Research Field

Engineering

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Benefits

• A competitive remuneration package in line with the industry standards of Belgium, a country with a high quality of life and an excellent health system.
• A young and dynamic work environment where human contacts and professionalism are very important
• You will work in the historical city of Bruges, in the heart of Europe. Bruges is at 1h from Brussels by train, with a direct link to the international airport "Brussels National".
• Become part of a top-ranking university within a multi-disciplinary team made of knowledge institutes and industry.
• The opportunity to pursue a PhD degree in Engineering Technology, a trajectory that typically takes 4 years, in a young and dynamic research team. You will be given a 1-year contract. Financing for the subsequent 3 years must be obtained through successfully participating in competitive funding.

Other working conditions can be found at https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/en/phd/phd-information

Eligibility criteria

You are a dynamic and passionate problem-solver. You can work independently but also in a multidisciplinary team consisting of knowledge institutes and industry.

 

The candidate:

• Holds a master’s degree in Engineering Sciences or Engineering Technology, preferably in Aeronautics or Electromechanics.
• Has adequate communication skills and can present the obtained results competently and comprehensively in research team meetings, conferences, and peer-reviewed journals.  Preferably, you have given presentations at conferences or published articles in high-impact journals.
• Is flexible and has good time management skills.
• Can work autonomously and maintains good interactions with the co/supervisors.
• Has the necessary skills to successfully study aircraft design and performance, electrochemistry, fluid mechanics and data communication.
• Helps in the organisation of workshops and other events.
• Frequently reports the progress of the conducted research to the co/supervisors.
• Is willing to engage in teaching assignments.
• Wants to travel within Belgium or abroad to assist in meetings, execute tests or conduct measurements if such appears necessary.

Advantages strengthening the candidate’s profile, but not explicitly required:

• Knowledge of machine learning, Python or MATLAB programming.
• Having published as (co-)author in a peer-reviewed journal.
• Earlier expertise gained as an academic research assistant or as a research engineer in industry.

Selection process

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Frank Buysschaert, tel.: +32 50 66 49 61, mail: [email protected] or Prof. dr. ir. Hans Hallez, tel.: +32 50 66 48 38, mail: [email protected] .
You can apply for this job no later than 14/06/2024 via the online application tool

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

KU Leuven

Country

Belgium

State/Province

West-Vlaanderen

City

Brugge

Postal Code

8000

Street

Brugge

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://easyapply.jobs/r/2kZE4h231Di8Q25lf11j

Contact

State/Province

Brugge

City

West-Vlaanderen

Street

Brugge

Postal Code

8000

STATUS: EXPIRED