PhD Position Optical Characterisation of Performance Limits in Materials under Cryogenic Conditions

Challenge: Characterise aerospace materials under cryogenic and dynamic loading.

Change: Optical testing in extreme conditions.

Impact: Safer hydrogen aircraft structures.

Job description

This PhD project investigates how aerospace materials deform, degrade and ultimately limit structural performance when exposed to cryogenic temperatures and different strain rate regimes.

This position is part of the Dutch Aviation Systems Analysis Lab (DASAL) project, a collaboration between TU Delft and Royal NLR within the Dutch Luchtvaart in Transitie programme.

The attention to hydrogen as an alternative fuel for aviation has increased, given its potential to partially or totally replace fossil fuel-based jet fuels. Storing hydrogen requires at least four times as much volume as jet fuel, and in bulkier volumes consisting of cylindrical tanks. It is obvious that hydrogen tanks will have to be, at least partially, placed inside the fuselage, such that their integrity becomes a crucial aspect to guarantee passenger safety. The current state-of-the-art research cannot explain how engineering materials applied in aviation will behave under cryogenic temperatures as low as 20 K (-250 °C), especially when in contact with hydrogen. Furthermore, strain rate effects will have additional influence on the behaviour of these materials, which is not yet characterised in the literature.

This project aims to develop and formalise knowledge concerning the deformation mechanisms of materials in cryogenic conditions at various strain rates. Focus will be given to the development of testing methodologies that can accurately observe, detect, and measure deformation and damage under the large temperature gradients that will be present in the testing apparatus. The developed testing methodologies will provide reliable experimental data on material and structural behaviour, which will be used to validate new numerical models and contribute to the certification by analysis of future composite structures. Optical measurement techniques, such as digital image correlation, pattern tracking, high-speed imaging and, where relevant, thermography, will be explored to enable full-field characterisation of deformation, strain localisation and damage evolution under cryogenic and strain-rate-dependent loading conditions.

Preliminary research questions for the PhD project are:

• What measurement techniques can enable the observation of relevant deformation and damage phenomena in experiments under cryogenic conditions?
• How can the constraints imposed by cryogenic testing conditions be rationally overcome to characterise material behaviour reliably?
• What characterises the strain rate dependence of material deformation in cryogenic conditions, from quasi-static to dynamic loading?

In addition to the main project, you may contribute to educational and ongoing research initiatives within the group, leveraging your expertise. You will also have the opportunity to explore and develop your own ideas and research directions.

You will be required to communicate your results both in academic settings, through journal papers and conferences, and towards an industrial audience. In this position, you will be supervised by Dr Andrei Anisimov and Dr Saullo Castro.

This position is shared by the Optical Metrology for Aerospace (OMA) and Design of Structures research groups, both within the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology. OMA is a young, interdisciplinary and international research group with a focus on optical instrumentation for metrology applications, efficient non-destructive inspection and material characterisation. Design of Structures focuses on design for impact and crashworthiness, and on strength-driven designs that exploit the maximum strength of available materials in post-buckling.

Job requirements

You are a motivated graduate who wants to apply theoretical, experimental and analytical skills to the characterisation of aerospace materials under challenging cryogenic and strain-rate-dependent loading conditions. You are interested in developing reliable experimental methodologies and measurement approaches that can support the safe introduction of hydrogen-based aviation technologies.

You also have:

• A Master’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, applied physics, materials science, experimental mechanics, instrumentation, or a related discipline.
• A strong interest in experimental testing, material characterisation and the behaviour of materials under extreme environmental and loading conditions.
• Hands-on experience with experimental setups, measurement systems, optical measurement techniques, mechanical testing, or laboratory instrumentation.
• Experience with digital image correlation, image processing, high-speed imaging, thermography, cryogenic testing, composite materials, numerical modelling, or non-destructive testing is a plus.
• Capacity to work independently and as a team member.
• Good communication skills and the ability to collaborate with researchers from different disciplines.
• A good level of English proficiency and social skills to work effectively with academic, industrial and project stakeholders.

The outcomes of this project will be disseminated to the scientific community, industrial stakeholders and a general audience through presentations at national and international conferences, publications in peer-reviewed journals, and project meetings. You will also participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, write scientific articles and prepare a final thesis. Additionally, you may be involved in training and teaching MSc students.

TU Delft

Delft University of Technology is a top international university combining science, engineering and design.

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.

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.

You don’t just join our faculty — you join a community where you can thrive, grow, and help shape the future of aerospace.