PhD Position Damage Tolerance of Structures under Cryogenic Conditions

Challenge: Predict damage growth in structures in cryogenic conditions

Change: Relate damage tolerance to mechanical properties through physics

Impact: Enable hydrogen application in clean aviation

Prediction of fatigue damage growth generally utilizes prediction models calibrated with many tests at various loading conditions making them essentially model-based interpolations rather than true predictions. With the introduction of hydrogen propulsion and the necessity to store liquid hydrogen under cryogenic conditions, one needs to ability to forecast the damage tolerance of materials involved in hydrogen storage and transport. To avoid conducting many expensive tests under cryogenic conditions, this project aims at developing a true prediction models utilizing quasi-static mechanical and physical material properties only.

In this PhD research project you will contribute to this ambition by developing novel methodologies adopting principles from physics, that enable relating the damage tolerance of structural materials to their mechanical and physical properties. The theory and methods to be developed will be correlated and validated with experiments under various environmental and temperature conditions, eventually down to cryogenic conditions.

This position is a part of the 'Luchtvaart in Transitie project. You will therefore collaborate with other PhDs and post-docs, and communicate with industrial partners. Within the ASM department there is currently a larger community of PhD candidates and post-docs working on related activities.

Requirements

Need to have:

• A MSc degree in a relevant field, e.g. Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar, with a research topic relevant for this project.
• Affinity with the topic of mechanical properties, fatigue of metallic, composite and polymer structures and materials.
• A desire to acquire the new skills and knowledge needed to complete the project.
• A critical attitude towards your own work and that of others.
• Good written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate the value of your work in both academic and industry settings.
• English proficiency

Nice to have:

• Prior experience with composites amnufacturing.
• Prior experience with mechanical  testing.
• Experience in analytical or numerical modelling of fatigue and/or fracture

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 270 PhD candidates and close to 3000 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. 

 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 € 2901 per month in the first year to € 3707 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 a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.  

, 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 is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.  

).

Application procedure
15 April 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Dr. Ir. René Alderliesten. In your cover letter, describe your interest in the project and why you think you would be a good fit for this position. Additionally, describe briefly what aspects of cryogenic conditions you believe will affect fatigue characteristics, and whether you expect these to improve or degrade. Based on the submitted cover letters and CV, a shortlist of suitable candiddates will be invited for an (online) interview. During this interview you will be asked to present your own research experience so far, and to provide a short research proposal for this postdoctoral project.  

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. 
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.