Junior Researcher for an Assessment of Space-Based Solar Radiation Management Demonstrator

Join a Leading Project on Space-Based Climate Engineering

Make a leading contribution to a new project on space-based climate engineering, working with Dr Onur Çelik in collaboration with project partners University of Glasgow and AAC Clyde Space.

Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity to join a project supported by the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), working collaboratively with project partners at University of Glasgow and AAC Clyde Space. The successful candidate will take part in a space-based climate engineering design study to assess the requirements for a low cost, small-scale sunshade technology demonstration mission in Earth orbit.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake a broad range of tasks including modelling shading patterns for an Earth-orbiting sunshade, developing measurement and data analysis strategies to extract the amount of shading that drives space mission requirements and determines the size of the sunshade. You will also work closely with project partners to ensure integration of research activity into the wider project to deliver its top-level goals. The University of Glasgow will perform spacecraft design tasks, including orbit simulations, pointing strategy, and preliminary spacecraft sizing, while AAC Clyde Space will provide an industrial assessment of the mission concept.

You will join the Astrodynamics and Space Missions Section at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, where the group tackles problems related to space mission analysis, navigation, and processing of mission data, and is involved in several leading international space missions. There are ample opportunities for academic and professional growth at a leading aerospace organisation.

The successful candidate is expected to start as soon as possible, to be confirmed during appointment. The post is available from 1 December until 30 November 2026.

Job Requirements

• Successful record of research accomplishment in space technology with experience in space mission analysis and design
• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering
• Strong background in physics, mathematics, data analysis, and strong analytical skills
• Strong background in coding, e.g., MATLAB and/or Python
• Ability to learn independently and passion for research
• Strong communication skills in English
• Team player, open to discussion and constructive criticism
• Previous involvement in scientific research

About 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. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

Faculty of Aerospace Engineering

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world’s most highly ranked and comprehensive research, education and innovation communities devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. More than 200 science staff, around 270 PhD candidates and close to 3000 BSc and MSc students apply aerospace engineering disciplines to address the global societal challenges that threaten us today, with climate change being the most important. Our focal subjects include sustainable aerospace, big data and artificial intelligence, bio-inspired engineering, and smart instruments and systems. Working at the faculty means collaborating with partners in other faculties, knowledge institutes, governments, and industry, both aerospace and non-aerospace, in field labs and innovation hubs on our university campus and beyond.

Conditions of Employment

• Duration of contract is 1 year (Temporary)
• Salary based on Scale 08 of the CAO for Dutch Universities: €3382 - €4484 gross per month (fulltime, 38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%
• Excellent pension scheme via the ABP
• Possibility to compile an individual employment package every year
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages
• Flexible working week
• 232 leave hours per year (at 38 hours); option to sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget
• Opportunities for education, training, and courses
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention to working healthily and energetically with the vitality program

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Onur Çelik at o.celik-1@tudelft.nl.