PhD Position Durability of Chromate-Free Coatings for Military Aircraft Systems

Help eliminate toxic chromates from aerospace. In collaboration with the Netherlands Defence Academy and NLR, you will develop advanced experimental and accelerated testing methods to predict coating durability and enable safer, more sustainable military aircraft systems.

PhD position on durability of chromate-free coatings for military aircraft systems

Job description

Hexavalent chromium is still widely used in aircraft coating systems due to its unmatched ability to protect structural components against corrosion over long service lifetimes. However, its toxic and carcinogenic nature drives an urgent need for safer, chromate-free alternatives. Progress in this transition is currently limited by the lack of reliable and standardized test methods to assess the long-term performance of these alternatives.

In this PhD project at TU Delft, you will develop experimental methods to better understand and predict the durability of chromate-free coatings. Working closely with the Netherlands Defence Academy Air Support Command, the Dutch Air Support Command, and the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre / Netherlands Aerospace Research Laboratory (NLR), you will connect fundamental research to real-world aerospace applications within the defence sector.

A key challenge is that coating degradation in service is complex and not yet fully understood. You will investigate the underlying mechanisms and kinetics of degradation processes, such as corrosion initiation and propagation under coatings. By designing and performing advanced experiments, you will explore how environmental and material factors influence coating performance over time. In addition, you will work on translating these insights into accelerated testing methodologies. The goal is to establish a reliable correlation between laboratory-based tests and long-term behaviour in operational conditions. Your work will contribute to the development of (inter)national standards that support the qualification and implementation of chromate-free coating systems in aerospace and defence applications.

Your responsibilities

As a PhD researcher, you will:

1. Assess whether current insights and data adequately reflect real in-service conditions driving coating degradation and corrosion, and identify remaining knowledge gaps.
2. Translate key degradation drivers into accelerated testing conditions by defining relevant stressors, their combinations, and exposure sequences that preserve realistic mechanisms.
3. Develop and execute accelerated test protocols, including the design of representative specimens and exposure cycles.
4. Validate the predictive value of the protocols against in-service performance, assessing long-term reliability, compliance with acceptance criteria, and identifying any missing degradation factors.

Your work environment

You will join the Corrosion Technology and Electrochemistry (CTE) group within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. The CTE group is a dynamic team of PhD candidates, postdocs and faculty members working on corrosion processes, electrochemical sensors and electrocatalysts. By combining advanced electrochemical methods, materials synthesis and surface analysis techniques, we develop fundamental knowledge and translate it into practical and sustainable solutions for energy and materials applications. In this project, you will work in close collaboration with the Netherlands Defence Academy, the Dutch Air Support Command and NLR, bridging academic research and real-world defence challenges.

You will have access to well-equipped laboratories with advanced facilities for high-resolution electrochemical analysis and surface characterisation, including scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), scanning Kelvin probe (SKP), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). At CTE, you’ll find an open and collaborative environment where interdisciplinary teamwork, curiosity, and scientific excellence are valued. We work closely across disciplines such as metallurgy, surface science and electrochemistry, sharing a drive to grow together and make meaningful impact through innovative research.

Job requirements

You are a curious and proactive researcher who enjoys combining experimental work with data-driven approaches. You like developing creative solutions to complex scientific problems and take initiative in exploring new ideas. You work well independently but also thrive in a collaborative environment. As a team player with strong interpersonal skills, you contribute positively to a diverse research group.

Furthermore, you meet the following requirements:

• You hold an MSc degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• You have experience with, or a strong affinity for, coating testing- and surface analytical techniques or methods.
• You demonstrate excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, combined with curiosity and diligence.
• You are comfortable collaborating with both scientific and industrial partners.
• You have strong communication skills and an excellent command of English.

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.

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.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

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.