PhD position Simulation and experimental characterization of two-phase flow and heat transfer within a skin heat exchanger for sustainable aviation

Updated: about 1 year ago
Deadline: 22 Feb 2023

The Cluster of Excellence SE²A - Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Aviation is a DFG-funded interdisciplinary research center investigating technologies for a sustainable and eco-friendly air transport system. Scientists from different areas of engineering are working on new technologies to reduce the climate impact of future aircrafts.

A collaboration beween Technische Universität Braunschweig, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Leibniz University Hannover (LUH), the Braunschweig University of Art (HBK), the National Metrology Institute of Germany (PTB), and Delft University of Technology have been established to work on future concepts of sustainable aircrafts.

The overall project is structured into the three core research areas “Assessment of the Air Transport System”, “Flight Physics and Vehicle Systems” and “Energy Storage & Conversion”.

The current project aims at developing a novel dissipation method of waste heat from the fuel cell system via aerodynamic surfaces, investigating the concepts of skin heat exchangers. The main goal of the project is to develop a numerical CFD model to predict the heat transfer and pressure drops of the skin heat exchanger on the working fluid side, where a phase transition process occurs. In order to validate and calibrate the numerical models, experiments will be performed with a simplified geometry to measure the local heat transfer and temperature along the heat exchanger.

We are seeking for an excellent candidate who holds an MSc in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering and can demonstrate:

  • A strong interest for propulsion systems, two-phase heat transfer and thermodynamics
  • An aptitude for software development and experimental activities.
  • An aptitude for team-work and effective communication in an international environment

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.

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 € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 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 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.

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 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 250 PhD candidates and over 2,700 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.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Carlo De Servi, [email protected] .      

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 22 February 2023 via the application button and upload:

  • Motivation Letter. 
  • Curriculum Vitae including complete address, phone number, email address, educational background, language skills, and work experience. 
  • Copies of bachelor and master diploma and transcript of grades in English. 
  • Copy of the master thesis dissertation. 

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.
  • Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

The Cluster of Excellence SE²A - Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Aviation is a DFG-funded interdisciplinary research center investigating technologies for a sustainable and eco-friendly air transport system. Scientists from different areas of engineering are working on new technologies to reduce the climate impact of future aircrafts.

A collaboration beween Technische Universität Braunschweig, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Leibniz University Hannover (LUH), the Braunschweig University of Art (HBK), the National Metrology Institute of Germany (PTB), and Delft University of Technology have been established to work on future concepts of sustainable aircrafts.

The overall project is structured into the three core research areas “Assessment of the Air Transport System”, “Flight Physics and Vehicle Systems” and “Energy Storage & Conversion”.

The current project aims at developing a novel dissipation method of waste heat from the fuel cell system via aerodynamic surfaces, investigating the concepts of skin heat exchangers. The main goal of the project is to develop a numerical CFD model to predict the heat transfer and pressure drops of the skin heat exchanger on the working fluid side, where a phase transition process occurs. In order to validate and calibrate the numerical models, experiments will be performed with a simplified geometry to measure the local heat transfer and temperature along the heat exchanger.

We are seeking for an excellent candidate who holds an MSc in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering and can demonstrate:

  • A strong interest for propulsion systems, two-phase heat transfer and thermodynamics
  • An aptitude for software development and experimental activities.
  • An aptitude for team-work and effective communication in an international environment

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.

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 € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 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 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.

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 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 250 PhD candidates and over 2,700 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.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Carlo De Servi, [email protected] .      

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 22 February 2023 via the application button and upload:

  • Motivation Letter. 
  • Curriculum Vitae including complete address, phone number, email address, educational background, language skills, and work experience. 
  • Copies of bachelor and master diploma and transcript of grades in English. 
  • Copy of the master thesis dissertation. 

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.
  • Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.


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