PhD Position Development of an Uncertainty-aware Simulation Workflow for Collaborative Engineering (Aerospace)

TL;DR

PhD Position (Aerospace Engineering): Developing an uncertainty-aware simulation workflow for collaborative engineering in the aviation sector with an accent on stochastic modeling and uncertainty propagation. Focus on implementing global sensitivity analysis and robust design for next-generation hydrogen aircraft.

Location: Must be based in Delft, Netherlands (Relocation support available)

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 methods for stochastic modeling implemented non-intrusively within the DASAL digital thread.
• Analyze uncertainty propagation across component levels to establish traceable confidence intervals on KPIs.
• Perform global sensitivity analysis to identify and mitigate weak links in system models.
• Quantify the required accuracy for system sub-components and parameters to achieve target confidence in KPIs.
• Demonstrate the stochastic MBSE/KBE framework using a next-generation medium-haul hydrogen aircraft use case.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of researchers from hirify.global, NLR, and the Ministry of Infrastructure.

Requirements

• Strong expertise in programming with MATLAB or Python.
• Deep knowledge of conceptual and preliminary aviation design.
• Familiarity with uncertainty quantification, propagation, and global sensitivity analysis methods.
• Understanding of challenges and benefits of sustainable aviation at the aircraft and system level.
• Excellent spoken and written English communication skills.
• Ability to relocate to and work from Delft, Netherlands.

Nice to have

• Knowledge of the Dutch language.

Culture & Benefits

• 4-year employment period (initial 1.5-year contract followed by a 2.5-year contract).
• Salary increases annually based on a full-time contract, plus 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Customisable compensation package and discounts on health insurance.
• Comprehensive relocation support via the Coming to Delft Service and a Dual Career Programme for partners.
• Access to the hirify.global Graduate School and a dedicated Doctoral Education Programme.
• Flexible work schedules can be arranged.