PhD Position Modeling and Managing Future Low-Emission Aircraft in European Airspace (Aerospace Engineering)

TL;DR

PhD Candidate (Aerospace Engineering): Researching the integration of zero-emission aircraft into the European air traffic management network with an accent on performance modeling and ATM impact assessment. Focus on developing simulation frameworks for hydrogen and electric aircraft, analyzing airspace capacity, and optimizing trajectory planning.

Location: Must relocate to the Netherlands (Delft)

Salary: €3,059 – €3,881 gross per month

Company

hirify.global is a top international university combining science, engineering, and design to address global challenges in energy, climate, and mobility.

What you will do

• Develop performance models for zero-emission aircraft including hydrogen combustion, fuel cell, and battery-electric propulsion.
• Assess the impacts of next-generation aircraft on the European ATM network and airport infrastructure.
• Simulate mixed-fleet operations in European airspace to analyze system readiness and operational changes.
• Investigate trajectory planning and energy management strategies for alternative propulsion.
• Evaluate airspace capacity implications and traffic flow management adaptations.

Requirements

• MSc degree in Aerospace Engineering, Air Transport, Operations Research, or a related field.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Rust, or Go.
• Strong understanding of aircraft performance principles and/or ATM systems.
• Solid background in quantitative research methods and analytical modeling.
• Excellent English communication skills (written and verbal) for scientific publications.

Nice to have

• Experience with aircraft performance modeling or flight simulation.
• Knowledge of alternative propulsion systems (hydrogen, electric, hybrid).
• Familiarity with airspace design or traffic flow management concepts.
• Previous experience with scientific publications in aviation or transportation research.

Culture & Benefits

• 4-year employment period with progressive salary increases.
• 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Enrollment in the hirify.global Graduate School with professional mentoring and supervisor support.
• Customizable compensation package and discounts on health insurance.
• Comprehensive relocation support via the Coming to Delft Service and a Dual Career Programme for partners.