PhD Position SHM of Smart FRP Aircraft in MSCA Doctoral Network ASSESS

PhD Position SHM of Smart FRP Aircraft in MSCA Doctoral Network ASSESS - at TU Delft, Netherlands

Join the TU Delft team developing fibre optic sensor technology for structural health monitoring of aerospace structures.

Job description

The ASSESS project aims to bridge the gap between research and industry by designing, manufacturing and testing the next generation of smart FRP composites. Smart composites will empower safer, more lightweight, and structurally efficient composite aerospace components and wind turbine blades, which in turn will contribute to reduce material waste, aircraft fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions and enhance renewable wind energy production. Hence, ASSESS will play a pivotal role in the context of future European green energy and transportation.

Topic: SHM of smart FRP aircraft and spacecraft structures with integrated fibre optic sensors

The objective of the PhD project is to develop, manufacture and test TFBG sensors embedded in smart CFRP and GFRP composite structures. Diverse material processing methods will be considered for sensor integration into FRPs. Mechanical tests will be performed to characterise performance of TFGBs-based smart composites under tensile, compressive, flexural, interlaminar shear and impact loading. The Doctoral Candidate will enhance the modelling capability of TFBG sensors by combining analytical and numerical approaches. Two experimental SHM studies will be considered in this project.

There are planned secondments at ESA ESTEC and the Air Force Research Institute (AFIT), Poland.

Research Fields:

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), Fibre Optic Sensors, Composites, Aerospace Engineering

Secondments:

1. ESA ESTEC
2. Air Force Research Institute (AFIT), Poland

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research as outlined in the project’s objectives under the supervision of Dr. Roger Groves.
• Engage in secondments as part of the project’s training activities with ESA ESTEC and AFIT.
• Contribute to academic publications, project reports, and other dissemination activities.
• Participate in structured training programs and network-wide events organized by the consortium.
• Collaborate with international partners and other Doctoral Candidates within the network.

Principal Supervisor:

Dr. Roger Groves, Delft University of Technology

Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

• A Master's degree (or equivalent)
• Not in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.
• Recruited applicants can be of any nationality and must undertake trans-national mobility (i.e., move from one country to another) when taking up the appointment. In particular, at the time of selection, the recruited applicant for this position must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in The Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. You will be asked to enclose evidence to prove this. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.

Required Skills:

• Affinity with engineering structures and materials, ideally in aerospace
• Expertise in non-destructive testing, structural health monitoring and/or other inspection techniques
• Interest in instrumentation development and automation.
• Good experimental and practical skills. Able to develop concepts, build and test them
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Optional Skills:

• The following are an advantage: knowledge of sensor physics, optics, mathematics and ultrasonics
• English Requirement: High level of proficiency in English (will be tested at interview).

TU Delft

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft 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.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 😊

Faculty Aerospace Engineering

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world’s most highly ranked (and most 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, climate change without doubt being the most important. Our focal subjects: sustainable aerospace, big data and artificial intelligence, bio-inspired engineering and smart instruments and systems. Working at the faculty means working together. With partners in other faculties, knowledge institutes, governments and industry, both aerospace and non-aerospace. Working in field labs and innovation hubs on our university campus and beyond.

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.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €2901 per month in the first year to €3707 in the fourth year. 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.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

The doctoral candidate will also benefit from comprehensive training within the ASSESS network, including participation in at least six specialized Training Events organized by the MSCA-ASSESS network. Additional opportunities include secondments to partner laboratories, a range of advanced training courses (including transferable skills development), and active engagement in workshops and international conferences, providing a well-rounded and enriching research experience.

Expected Start Date: Q2 2025

Additional information

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Roger Groves, via R.M.Groves@tudelft.nl. For administrative questions relating to the application procedure, please contact Dr. Sebastian Mateiescu (z.s.mateiescu@tudelft.nl).

Project Description:

The Horizon Europe MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE ACTION Doctoral Network (DN) ASSESS (Automated online monitoring of Smart compoSitE StructureS - Grant Agreement Number 101168031) offers 12 exciting PhD positions to develop next-generation smart composites for strategic European industries such as aviation, space, and wind energy.

Composite materials with embedded sensors and nanomaterials hold the potential for real-time structural health monitoring. However, industrial adoption is hindered by challenges in sensor integration, automated data analysis, standardization, and operator training. ASSESS bridges the gap between research and industry by advancing the design, manufacturing, and testing of Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites.

As part of a multidisciplinary consortium of 9 beneficiaries and 13 Associated Partners, you will engage in pioneering research on:

• Smart composites and cutting-edge sensing technologies
• Advanced simulations and AI-driven data analysis
• Digital twins and Industry 4.0 innovations

Through collaborative projects, international secondments, and specialized training, you'll contribute to safer, lighter, and more efficient composite components, reducing CO₂ emissions, enhancing wind energy production, and supporting Europe's green transition.