PhD Position on Operational Analysis and Assessment of New Aircraft Concepts (Delft, NL, 2628 CD)

Job description 

Research and industry are increasingly investing in new aircraft concepts (e.g., powered by batteries, hydrogen, and other alternative energy sources) that promise to significantly reduce aviation's climate impact. These aircraft come with fundamentally different performance characteristics such as different operating speeds, climb and descent angles and range. It's still an open question what happens when these aircraft share the airspace with conventional traffic, and what that would mean for air traffic control and safety. This is exactly what this PhD project aims to answer!

The primary focus of the research will be to quantify how mixing aircraft with strongly differing performance characteristics affects safety, efficiency and capacity, and to develop the metrics and models needed to make those effects measurable. This can be approached through empirical analysis of large-scale simulations, through new (semi-analytical) models that predict the impact of introducing these vehicle types, or a combination of the two. Because the tools to do this do not yet exist, the open-source air traffic simulator BlueSky will be extended into a scenario generator and assessment framework, which will form part of a larger simulation environment that evaluates the aviation system of the future.

The PhD should consider:

Research:

• Characterise how new aircraft types differ in performance from current traffic, and what this means for separation and procedure design.
• Quantify the relation between safety, capacity and efficiency under a mixed future fleet.
• Identify how we should design procedures for such a heterogenous mix of aircraft types.
• Assess what this implies for ATM innovations such as trajectory prediction, separation automation, collision avoidance, and Trajectory-Based Operations.

Tools and models:

• Extend BlueSky with the scenario generation and assessment capability the above requires.
• Make these tools usable by other researchers and policymakers, in line with the lab's open-science approach.
• Facilitate future expansion to include other domain models (e.g. emissions, noise) in collaboration with other researchers.

This PhD position is part of the Dutch Aviation Systems Analysis Lab (DASAL), a flagship collaboration between TU Delft and Royal NLR, funded through the Dutch national growth fund under the 'Luchtvaart in Transitie' programme. DASAL serves as a living lab for developing integrated models and simulations to support innovation throughout the Dutch aviation sector and public policy. Within this unique ecosystem, you will join a diverse and interdisciplinary team of twelve PhD candidates and three postdocs from across the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, collaborating closely with experts at NLR and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management to analyse the complex interactions between sustainability, economics, and societal impact in aviation.

The PhD candidate will be based at the Operations & Environment section of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, and will actively collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and PhD candidates from the same Faculty, as well as researchers from the Dutch Aerospace Laboratory (NLR), towards the creation of the Dutch Aviation System Analysis Laboratory.

Job requirements 

• MSc Degree in Aerospac.e Engineering or Aeronautical Engineering, or an MSc Degree  in Mechanical Engineering, (Applied) Mathematics or Computer Science with an affinity for aviation and Air Traffic Management.
• Strong background in physics and mathematics, ideally knowledge in Air Traffic Management.
• Strong background in coding, preferably Python.
• Ability to learn independently and passion for research.
• Strong communication skills in English.
• Team player, open to discussion and constructive criticism.
• Previous involvement in scientific research is a plus.

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.