Postdoc Damage Tolerance of Structural Bonded Joints

Postdoc Damage Tolerance of Structural Bonded Joints

Challenge: Predict damage tolerance of structural bonded joints.
Change: New models and experimental methodologies
Impact: Enable structural sizing for defects

Join us in shaping the future of sustainable aviation through innovative bonding technologies!

Adhesive bonding is a key enabling technology for lightweight composite airframe design, crucial for the transition toward more sustainable aviation. However, to fully integrate bonded structures into next-generation aircraft, we must advance our understanding of fatigue and damage tolerance—especially as automation in manufacturing and stringent certification requirements increase.

In this position you will contribute to this need, by developing and validating methodologies bridging static and fatigue damage growth tests on generic coupons with bonded structures under combined load cases, supported by analytical or numerical modelling. This project will feature a large amount of experimental work, in combination with analytical and/or numerical modelling, depending on which approach proves to be most feasible.

What You’ll Be Working On

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will join an inclusive and interdisciplinary team that embraces diverse perspectives and ideas. You will play a vital role in bridging the gap between static and fatigue damage growth tests on generic coupons and bonded structures under complex loading conditions. Your work will combine extensive experimental research with analytical or numerical modeling, depending on the most effective approach. By developing and validating new assessment methodologies, you will contribute to safer, more durable, and certifiable adhesive bonding solutions for aerospace applications.

Who You’ll Be Working With

You will conduct this research within the Aerospace Structures and Materials (ASM) Department at TU Delft’s Faculty of Aerospace Engineering. Direct supervision will be provided by Dr. ir. J.A. Pascoe and Dr. ir. R.C. Alderliesten.

This position is part of the ‘Sustainable Structural Bonding Technologies’ (SUBSONIC) project, meaning you will collaborate closely with another postdoctoral researcher who has recently joined. Additionally, you will engage with industrial partners and be part of a broader network of PhD candidates and postdocs within ASM who are working on fatigue and damage tolerance of aerospace materials and structures.

Why Join Us?

• Shape the Future: Be at the forefront of sustainable aerospace innovations by improving structural bonding techniques.
• Supportive & Inclusive Environment: Join a diverse and interdisciplinary team where collaboration, new ideas, and different perspectives are highly valued.
• Sustainable Impact: Your research will directly contribute to the development of stronger, safer, and more circular composite structures, supporting the transition toward cleaner aviation.
• Real-World Applications: Work on experimental demonstrators, collaborate with industry partners, and see your research contribute to practical aerospace advancements.

Your Responsibilities

• Conducting independent research into the fatigue and damage tolerance of adhesively bonded composite structures, with support from the supervisory team.
• Assisting in teaching activities within the ASM department.
• Publishing your findings in peer-reviewed journals, presenting at international conferences, and engaging with project partners to maximize the impact of your research.

Requirements:

Essential Qualifications:

• A PhD degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, with a research focus relevant to this project.
• Strong interest in fatigue of composite structures and materials.
• A proactive mindset and eagerness to develop new skills and knowledge to successfully complete the project.
• A critical and analytical approach to research, both in your own work and in evaluating the work of others.
• Well-developed communication skills—both written and oral—with the ability to present your research effectively in academic and industry settings.
• Proficiency in English.

Desirable Skills & Experience:

• Prior experience with adhesive bonding in engineering applications.
• Background in fatigue testing of materials or structures.
• Knowledge of adhesive bonding of aircraft components.
• Expertise in analytical or numerical modeling of fatigue and/or fracture mechanics.

Are You Ready to Make an Impact?

This is more than just a research opportunity—it’s a chance to develop cutting-edge materials that redefine sustainability in aerospace engineering. If you’re excited about innovation, collaboration, and contributing to a greener aviation future, we’d love to hear from you.

Let’s build a smarter, stronger, and more sustainable future together!

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

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

• Duration of contract is 2.5 years.
• A job of 38 hours per week.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

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.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Rene Alderliesten, via R.C.Alderliesten@tudelft.nl.