PhD Position Noise Impact Assessment of Urban Drone Operations

PhD Position Noise Impact Assessment of Urban Drone Operations

Will drones become as common as the mailman? And what will that mean for our environment? Will the streets ever be quiet again? This PhD will give you the opportunity to build models that predict this!

Job description

In 2023, global drone shipments reached 1 million. Though small compared to billions of total annual transport volume, this number is expected to grow rapidly. The global drone market’s economic value is projected to rise to more than €75 billion by 2030. By then, drones are expected to become a regular presence—visually and audibly—in European living environments. A meaningful assessment of what impact this will have on our living environment is however still lacking.

In your PhD you will therefore work on drone noise modelling, which is part of one of the core priorities of the European Commission’s Drone Strategy 2.02: the need for robust methodologies and tools to assess and mitigate noise and broader societal and ecological impacts of drones and other new aviation entrants in U-Space. The strategy clearly positions noise as a key determinant of public acceptance, especially for delivery drones and eVTOLs, and calls for advanced modelling approaches to inform route planning, operational practices, and environmental regulation.

You will contribute to creating a comprehensive, science-based toolkit that supports the development of noise assessment methodologies aligned with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)’s mandate and contributes to the adaptation of the Environmental Noise Directive for these new technologies.

Your main focus will be to develop machine learning-based drone noise models that will be able to generate an accoustic footprint based on drone design and operational conditions. The noise footprint that the model predicts will go beyond standard noise pressure level metrics, but instead allow for an assessment of the psycho-accoustics: the noise annoyance as perceived by humans and even wildlife.

An important part of your work consists of designing and contributing to measurement campaigns, but you will also play a central role in the project by contributing expertise on Urban Airspace (UTM) operations, modelling and simulation.

Next to your thesis work you will also work in the TUNED project, where you’ll cooperate in an international (Horizon Europe/SESAR, EU-funded) collaboration with EUROCONTROL and the University of Salford. This will give you the opportunity to already during your PhD build an extensive research and industry network.

You will be part of the section Operations and Environment (O&E) of TU Delft's faculty of Aerospace Engineering. The O&E section investigates operations and environmental impact of today’s aircraft as well as future, newer foreseen aircraft types. This includes aspects such as aircraft noise, emissions, and climate impact, air traffic management, airspace utilisation, airport operations, airline operation including maintenance. Our research builds on a variety of methods, ranging from analytical methods to fast-time traffic, or agent-based, simulations, and from the newest operations research methods to state-of-the art AI/machine-learning, from modelling to measuring emissions and climate effects, noise and noise propagation.

Job requirements

The PhD position is funded by the Horizon-Europe TUNED project. You will be working in an international consortium, which means that good proficiency in the English language (spoken and written) is required.

Furthermore, the position requires an MSc in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautics or a comparable degree. Thorough knowledge of AI/ML methods, acoustics, and air traffic management are preferred, as well as excellent programming (Python, Java, C++, …) and mathematical skills. Preferably you also already have experience in writing scientific reports and papers.

TU Delft

Delft University of Technology 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.

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.