TU Delft Offers PhD Scholarships for Sustainable Aircraft Innovation
Delft, Saturday, 15 February 2025.
TU Delft invites applications for PhD scholarships to develop models for sustainable aircraft, advancing green aviation and reducing carbon emissions in the Netherlands.
Groundbreaking Research Initiative
TU Delft’s latest academic initiative aims to tackle one of aviation’s most pressing challenges: sustainable flight. The position, scheduled to begin in Q2 or Q3 2025, will focus on developing mathematical models and tools for optimizing requirements for hydrogen and electric aircraft technologies [1]. This research comes at a crucial time, as Airbus recently acknowledged delays in their hydrogen aircraft development program, potentially pushing their timeline back by five to ten years [5].
Comprehensive Research Environment
The successful candidate will join a dynamic team of approximately 60 professionals in an interdisciplinary environment at TU Delft [1]. The university’s commitment to sustainable aviation is further evidenced by their recent collaboration with Materialise, which opened its first Aerospace Competence Center at TU Delft’s Innovation Hub on February 12, 2025 [2]. This expanding ecosystem demonstrates TU Delft’s position as a key player in aerospace innovation [2].
Practical Implementation and Industry Connection
The PhD position will focus on three key areas: utilizing open-source air traffic data, developing robust solutions for future scenarios, and addressing operational constraints of hydrogen and hybrid-electric aircraft [1]. The research will directly contribute to addressing current industry challenges, such as those faced by major manufacturers in implementing hydrogen technology [5]. The position offers a competitive salary ranging from €2,901 to €3,707 per month over the four-year period [1].
Application Process and Timeline
Interested candidates have until March 14, 2025, to submit their applications [1]. The position requires an MSc in a relevant field, strong modeling capabilities, and excellent English proficiency. Selected candidates will be invited for interviews starting from October 21, 2025 [1]. The successful candidate will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School, emphasizing research skill development while contributing to the future of sustainable aviation [1].