PhD Position in Foil Drone (Delft, NL, 2628 CD)

Job description 

Are you ready to shape the future of autonomous maritime security? We are looking for a highly motivated and talented PhD Candidate to spearhead advanced research on the FoilDrone system—an innovative, future-proof maritime surveillance concept.

Project Context & Mission

Maritime domain awareness is a critical global priority. Traditional surveillance options face major trade-offs: airborne drones offer high speed but suffer from critically low endurance (6 to 22 hours), while unmanned surface vessels (like the Saildrone) boast long endurance but travel at very low speeds (3 to 5 knots) and cannot see over the horizon.

The FoilDrone system bridges this market gap by combining an aerial Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) rotating-wing sailplane with a submerged, tethered hydrofoil. completely eliminating propulsion power consumption during operations.

Key Responsibilities & Research Focus

As a PhD candidate, you will take ownership of the next phase of FoilDrone research. You will take the design from conceptual idea towards physical implementation through independent research, simulation and experimentation. Your core duties will include:

• Advanced Multi-Body Dynamics & Control: Deepen and expand simulation models linking the aerial vehicle to the submerged hydrofoil via a flexible tether. Refine independent controllers to ensure stability during critical transitions (transit, deployment, sailing, and recovery).
• Aerodynamic & Hydrodynamic Optimization: Investigate the complex interactions of fixed wing drone, cabels, and hydrofoils. Optimize aerodynamic and hydrodynamic efficiencies across varying sea states and wind disturbances.
• Experimental Validation: Translate theoretical models into physical hardware. Collaborate with technical staff and student teams to design wind-tunnel experiments, tow-tank tests, and open-water flight trials to validate structural integrity, deployment mechanisms, and control strategies.
• Academic Contribution: Publish high-impact scientific papers in leading international journals, present findings at global aerospace and marine conferences, and assist in supervising Master's and Bachelor's student thesis projects.

What We Offer

• A fully funded, multi-year PhD position within a world-leading aerospace research environment.
• Access to state-of-the-art simulation tools, testing facilities, and prototyping equipment.
• Opportunities to collaborate closely with pioneers in UAV technology, maritime sensors, and renewable energy systems.
• A vibrant, international, and inspiring workplace dedicated to creating innovative drone solutions that work in the real world.

If you are eager to push the boundaries of aerial-marine robotics and make a tangible impact on global maritime safety, we invite you to submit your application     

Job requirements 

• Educational Background: Hold a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Control Systems, or a closely related discipline.
• Technical Expertise: Strong background in flight dynamics, multi-body system modeling, guidance, navigation, and control (GNC).
• Simulation Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in numerical simulation environments (such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python) for aerial or underwater systems.
• Research Drive: Passion for academic research, experimental verification, and autonomous systems, with a proven ability to publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent English written and verbal communication skills, with a collaborative mindset to work alongside interdisciplinary academic and industrial partners.
• Practical Experience: Demonstrated hands-on experience in building, assembling, or maintaining (fixed-wing) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and/or marine hydrofoil systems, including composite manufacturing and mechanical integration.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) 

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference. 

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future. 

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.  

Faculty Aerospace Engineering 

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is a leading international community where innovation in aerospace meets global challenges. Our support and scientific staff, including PhD candidates, postdocs, and students, largely work together on three main themes: the energy transition, sustainable aerospace, and safety and security, with the aim of tackling climate change and contributing to the independence and security of Europe. 

When you join us, you become part of a diverse, collaborative, and forward-thinking environment where your ideas and perspectives are valued. Our work extends beyond the lab—into field labs, innovation hubs, and partnerships with other faculties, research institutes, governments, and industry, both locally and globally. 

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming workplace, assisted by an active Diversity & Inclusion team. This includes tangible support such as funding for extra personnel for family and caregiving responsibilities, mentoring programmes, and initiatives that promote cultural exchange and integration. 

You don’t just join our faculty — you join a community where you can thrive, grow, and help shape the future of aerospace.  

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.