PhD Position Fuel Optimisation with Explainable ML

3 Apr 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Research Field

Technology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

30 Apr 2024 - 21:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

40.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

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

No

Offer Description

In this Ph.D. position, the calculation of trip fuel takes center stage, holding the power to safely guide aircraft to their destinations. Yet, the task of estimating fuel amounts is not an easy one. It involves many variables, including weather conditions, airport congestion, hold-on duration, and aircraft performance. The existing estimation models fall short of accurately assessing the impact of these factors, often leading to excess fuel, unnecessary costs for airlines, and higher CO2 emissions.

Your mission as a PhD candidate is to innovate the industry by developing autonomous tools that enhance fuel estimation, helping airlines reduce costs and their environmental footprint. The PhD candidate shall focus on state-of-the-art machine learning techniques, that can find patterns within vast amounts of data, to refine the estimation of flight trajectories and fuel consumption. Additionally, you will explore various data sources, meticulously analyzing their significance in achieving precise estimations.

Furthermore, we understand the importance of transparency and explainability for the decision-making process. By addressing the black-box nature of machine learning models, you will bring clarity and predictability to your models. Trust will be earned as you evaluate the robustness of your models in different scenarios, identifying key environmental variations that influence the final estimation. By creating an intuitive graphical representation, you will empower airline operators and pilots with the insight needed to make informed decisions.

This PhD position is a collaborative endeavor between TU Delft and KLM Operations Control Center. As part of this partnership, you will have the unique opportunity to apply modelling skills, logistics and aviation knowledge to conduct impactful research. Working closely with a team of experienced professionals, including problem owners and researchers, you will be immersed in a practical setting that inspires innovation.

You will be based primarily within the dynamic and growing Air Transport & Operations team, surrounded by motivated academics, driven PhD students, and experienced postdocs. This open-minded, friendly, and collaborative community will provide the necessary support and guidance to develop your research project and establish yourself as a recognized researcher in your field.

Additionally, it is expected that you will spend some days per week at Schiphol Airport, working alongside several units at KLM Flight Operations, including their operational experts and software team. This immersive experience will further deepen your understanding of the industry and amplify your potential to make a lasting impact and to develop breakthrough research.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

You will spend some days per week at Schiphol Airport, working alongside several units at KLM Flight Operations, including their operational experts and software team.

Furthermore, the position also has the following requirements:

• European nationality is required.
• A good proficiency in the English language (spoken and written) is required.
• You hold an MSc in aerospace or similar.
• You have an interest in artificial intelligence/machine learning applications.

• You want to bridge the gap between research and industrial applications.

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 .

Additional Information
Benefits

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.

Selection process

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 30 April 2024 via the application button and upload your motivation and CV.

Please note:

• 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.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Additional comments

For more information about this vacancy, contact Marta Ribeiro, [email protected] .

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/339731/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Delft University of Technology

Country

Netherlands

City

Delft

Postal Code

2628 CD

Street

Mekelweg 2

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/339731/phd-position-fuel-optimisation-with-…

Contact

City

Delft

Website

http://www.tudelft.nl/

Street

Mekelweg 2

Postal Code

2628 CD

STATUS: EXPIRED