Postdoc Optical Metrology for Full-Scale Crash Testing of Hydrogen Aircraft Tanks

Challenge: Full-field optical measurements of a hydrogen tank crash test

Change: High-speed stereo DIC linked directly to crash simulations

Impact: Safe and certifiable hydrogen-powered aircraft

Postdoc Optical Metrology for Full-Scale Crash Testing of Hydrogen Aircraft Tanks

Job description

Liquid hydrogen is a key option for climate-neutral aviation, but it must be stored at cryogenic temperatures in tanks integrated in the fuselage. These tanks have to stay intact and safe in a crash. This position is part of the European Clean Aviation project CRYOSTAR, where, together with our partners, we work to ensure the crashworthiness of hydrogen-powered aircraft. The project combines numerical modelling, material characterisation and full-scale testing. Its highlight is a unique full-scale drop test of a cryogenic liquid hydrogen tank installed in an aircraft fuselage section, performed on site at the test facility of our industrial partner in Italy in 2027. You will be part of this test campaign: you will be responsible for the full-field optical measurements with digital image correlation (DIC) and support the other dynamic measurements.

In this 12-month position, you will plan and perform the stereo DIC measurements with high-speed cameras, and link the DIC results to the numerical crash models for their validation. Your tasks include:

• designing the high-speed stereo imaging setup for DIC and marker (fiducial) tracking;
• test measurements in the TU Delft laboratory and the measurements during the final drop test on site;
• processing the image data into displacements, strains and motions of the test article;
• linking the DIC results to the finite element models.

The full-scale drop test will be done only once, your task is to make the measurements robust. You will work closely with the partners who perform the test, acquire the sensor data and develop the crash simulations, and you will contribute to the definition of the test instrumentation. Your results will also feed the digital thread that TU Delft develops in the project, linking the design and certification of hydrogen tanks.

In addition to the main project, you may contribute to ongoing research and educational projects with your expertise in optical metrology. You can also develop and test your own initiative ideas and directions of research.

You will be required to communicate your results both in academic settings (journal papers and conferences) and towards an industrial audience. In this position, you will be supervised by Dr. Andrei Anisimov. You will work in the TU Delft project team with Dr. Francesco Orefice and Dr. Saullo Castro.

This position is at the Optical Metrology for Aerospace (OMA) research group within the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering of 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.

Job requirements

You are a motivated researcher looking to apply your experimental and analysis skills in a unique full-scale test, and to connect measurements with models. You can work independently in an EU project and be responsible for the deliverables.

You also have:

• A PhD in optics, computer vision, experimental mechanics, aerospace engineering or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with digital image correlation (DIC), ideally high-speed stereo.
• Experience in correlating DIC data with finite element models for model validation.
• Experience with image processing and data analysis.
• Broader experience in optical metrology or computer vision is a plus.
• Willingness to travel to the test facility in Italy for the test campaign (short period).

You will work with many partners from industry and research, both on site and online. Therefore, English proficiency and the ability to communicate your work to academic and industrial audiences are required.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 1 year. Temporary.
• A job of 36-40 hours per week.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• Salary range: €3706 - €5760.
• FTE: 1.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave.
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students.

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.

#EUfunded This is an EU funded project, named CRYOSTAR, with project number 101251003, within program HE. The project is supported by the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking and its members.