Post Doctoral Researcher for the H2020 OVERLEAF project

Hydrogen is projected to play an important role in a future carbon-neutral society. As a mixture of hydrogen and air can be explosive under certain conditions, hydrogen sensors that can identify the tiniest leaks will be pivotal for the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier. As part of the European Horizon 2020 project OVERLEAF with ten academic and industry partners we are developing a fuel tank for hydrogen powered aircraft. The role of TU Delft in the project is to develop a proof-of-principle optical hydrogen sensor that can in the future be used around such a hydrogen tank on board of an aircraft.

In this project, we combine the expertise of two different faculties within Delft University of Technology to create such a proof-of-principle hydrogen sensor: the Faculty of Aerospace has expertise on fibre optic sensing and the Faculty of Applied Sciences on optical hydrogen sensing materials. The project consists of three main parts:

(1) Measure existing hydrogen sensing materials under conditions relevant to aviation (e.g. low temperatures) and develop new materials if required. While many materials have been developed for room temperature applications, at present these materials have not been measured at low temperatures. This part will mainly be experimental and will involve the deposition of the thin film materials with a thickness of tens of nanometres (magneton sputtering) and testing/analysis of the materials under various conditions (temperature, hydrogen concentration) with optical and structural measurements (for example X-ray diffraction)

(2) Creating and testing a fibre-optic hydrogen sensing with the developed hydrogen sensing materials such as a fibre Bragg grating or a micro-mirror sensor. The fibres will be coated with the developed hydrogen sensing materials, which will have a thickness of tens of nanometres. This part of the project will be a combination of modelling the fibre optical system and experimentally realising the most optimal configuration.

(3) Constructing a proof-of-principle prototype sensor that can be used as a portable demonstrator. This part will be a combination of experiments and engineering.

We are looking for an independently working postdoc with a background in optics that can act as a leader within the project and is able to successfully complete the abovementioned tasks. You will be working on this project in cooperation with two principle investigators and two research engineers at TU Delft, but will be expected to be the main driving force in realizing the (end) goals.

• PhD in Optics, Materials science, instrumentation or related topic.
• Strong background in optics. Knowledge about fibre optics is a pre.
• Affinity with material science at the nanometer scale. Experience of working with thin films, X-ray diffraction/reflectometry and/or magnetron sputtering is a pre.
• Affinity with engineering/prototype building.
• Expertise in programming in Python or Matlab. Experience with Comsol and/or optical modelling software
• Excellent communication and project management skills.     

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

The position has a fixed-term contract of 2 years.

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!

The Department of Aerospace Materials and Structures is dedicated to research on and development of structures and materials. The department consists of multiple groups that together cover the range from fundamental material science to full-scale structural component testing. The department has a strong expertise in the development and application of optical and ultrasonic instrumentation and monitoring systems and the related signal processing and modelling.   

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Roger Groves via [email protected].

For information about the selection procedure please contact ms. Gemma van der Windt via [email protected]

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 01-11-2022 via the application button and upload your motivation and CV.

• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

Hydrogen is projected to play an important role in a future carbon-neutral society. As a mixture of hydrogen and air can be explosive under certain conditions, hydrogen sensors that can identify the tiniest leaks will be pivotal for the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier. As part of the European Horizon 2020 project OVERLEAF with ten academic and industry partners we are developing a fuel tank for hydrogen powered aircraft. The role of TU Delft in the project is to develop a proof-of-principle optical hydrogen sensor that can in the future be used around such a hydrogen tank on board of an aircraft.

In this project, we combine the expertise of two different faculties within Delft University of Technology to create such a proof-of-principle hydrogen sensor: the Faculty of Aerospace has expertise on fibre optic sensing and the Faculty of Applied Sciences on optical hydrogen sensing materials. The project consists of three main parts:

(1) Measure existing hydrogen sensing materials under conditions relevant to aviation (e.g. low temperatures) and develop new materials if required. While many materials have been developed for room temperature applications, at present these materials have not been measured at low temperatures. This part will mainly be experimental and will involve the deposition of the thin film materials with a thickness of tens of nanometres (magneton sputtering) and testing/analysis of the materials under various conditions (temperature, hydrogen concentration) with optical and structural measurements (for example X-ray diffraction)

(2) Creating and testing a fibre-optic hydrogen sensing with the developed hydrogen sensing materials such as a fibre Bragg grating or a micro-mirror sensor. The fibres will be coated with the developed hydrogen sensing materials, which will have a thickness of tens of nanometres. This part of the project will be a combination of modelling the fibre optical system and experimentally realising the most optimal configuration.

(3) Constructing a proof-of-principle prototype sensor that can be used as a portable demonstrator. This part will be a combination of experiments and engineering.

We are looking for an independently working postdoc with a background in optics that can act as a leader within the project and is able to successfully complete the abovementioned tasks. You will be working on this project in cooperation with two principle investigators and two research engineers at TU Delft, but will be expected to be the main driving force in realizing the (end) goals.

• PhD in Optics, Materials science, instrumentation or related topic.
• Strong background in optics. Knowledge about fibre optics is a pre.
• Affinity with material science at the nanometer scale. Experience of working with thin films, X-ray diffraction/reflectometry and/or magnetron sputtering is a pre.
• Affinity with engineering/prototype building.
• Expertise in programming in Python or Matlab. Experience with Comsol and/or optical modelling software
• Excellent communication and project management skills.     

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

The position has a fixed-term contract of 2 years.

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!

The Department of Aerospace Materials and Structures is dedicated to research on and development of structures and materials. The department consists of multiple groups that together cover the range from fundamental material science to full-scale structural component testing. The department has a strong expertise in the development and application of optical and ultrasonic instrumentation and monitoring systems and the related signal processing and modelling.   

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Roger Groves via [email protected].

For information about the selection procedure please contact ms. Gemma van der Windt via [email protected]

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 01-11-2022 via the application button and upload your motivation and CV.

• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.