Design the simulaton models that will help airlines fly future aircraft types profitably and sustainably before they take off!

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, however, come with fundamentally different performance characteristics forcing airlines to rethink their operations well before such aircraft enter service. This PhD project will help make this transition possible!

The primary focus of this research will be on the development of new methods and models that efficiently couple new aircraft designs with new fleet allocation and schedule decisions. Such will enable airlines to minimize fleet-wide emissions once new aircraft types are introduced. The produced methods and models will form part of a larger simulation enviroment that evaluates the airspace of the future.

The research should consider:

• Model development:
• + Characterizing the key performance differences between current and future aircraft models
• + Evaluating how these differences affect fleet assignment and network planning
• + Optimizing airline operations (e.g., fleet composition, scheduling, routing) based on new aircraft capabilities
• + Assessing the resulting fleet-wide economical and climate impact
• Facilitate future expansion to also include other domain models for optimization (e.g. noise) in collaboration with other departments of the faculty of aerospace engineering.

This PhD position is part of the Dutch Aviation Systems Analysis Lab (DASAL project, 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 & Enviroment 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

The candidate has a MSc degree in Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, or a related field. Aditionally, the following is a plus:

• Strong programming skills in Pyhon, and experience in building simulation environments.
• Experience with fleet planning, airline network schedulling, and/or optimization methods.
• Genuine interest in sustainable aviation.
• The candidate is proactive and has problem solving attitude, is strong in communication and academic writing in english, and enjoys team work.

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.

Conditions of employment
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 €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

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.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. M. J. Ribeiro, via m.j.ribeiro@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 30 August 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter
• MSc Diploma
• Supplement (list of courses)

You can address your application to Dr. M. J. Ribeiro.

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.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
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