PhD Position Changes in Antarctic Firn Conditions

Job description

The Department of Geoscience and Remote Sensing at TU Delft invites applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD position to investigate the evolving role of firn in Antarctic ice shelf stability under a changing climate.

Firn—aged, compacted snow—acts as a buffer for surface melt on Antarctica’s ice shelves by absorbing meltwater in its porous structure. However, climate change is disrupting this process. Changes in snowfall, increased firn compaction and refreezing meltwater are leading to a loss of pore space, reducing the firn's capacity to store meltwater. The resulting surface meltwater can form lakes, which—through hydrofracturing—threaten the structural integrity of the ice shelves. This contributes to ice shelf disintegration and ultimately to global sea-level rise.

In this project, you will explore how we can derive changes in firn properties from satellite observations and monitor firn evolution. By integrating a firn model with satellite remote sensing data through radiative transfer modelling, and informed by laboratory analysis of firn cores collected from the George VI Ice Shelf, you will develop a data assimilation method to emulate changes in firn storage capacity over time. Your work will provide a unique insight into the long-term impact of changing climate conditions on Antarctica’s ice shelves and enhance our understanding of their vulnerability to future changes, thereby reducing the uncertainties in future sea level rise scenarios.

You will work with Dr. Bert Wouters, Dr. Stef Lhermitte, and Prof. Femke Vossepoel. As part of the Cryosphere Group within the Department of Geoscience and Remote Sensing at TU Delft, you will join a dynamic team of postdocs, PhDs, and research partners from across the world. In addition to an engaging research project and a supportive, stimulating work environment, generous funding is available to support scientific travel. We aim to start the project in September 2025.     

Job requirements
We are looking for a motivated researcher with an MSc degree in Earth System Science, Satellite Remote Sensing, Computational (Earth) Science, Applied Physics, Applied Mathematics or a related field. Proficiency in programming is essential for this position. Familiarity and experience in developing machine learning emulators and/or data assimilation will be considered a strong advantage. Additional experience in remote sensing of ice sheets and glaciers is a bonus, as is a background and interest in glaciology.
We welcome applicants who are eager to grow, work both independently and in teams, and contribute to an open and critical scientific environment. Strong communication skills, both written and oral, are important, as is a high level of proficiency in English.

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 of Civil Engineering and Geosciences
The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.

PhD Position Changes in Antarctic Firn Conditions

Job description

The Department of Geoscience and Remote Sensing at TU Delft invites applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD position to investigate the evolving role of firn in Antarctic ice shelf stability under a changing climate.

Firn—aged, compacted snow—acts as a buffer for surface melt on Antarctica’s ice shelves by absorbing meltwater in its porous structure. However, climate change is disrupting this process. Changes in snowfall, increased firn compaction and refreezing meltwater are leading to a loss of pore space, reducing the firn's capacity to store meltwater. The resulting surface meltwater can form lakes, which—through hydrofracturing—threaten the structural integrity of the ice shelves. This contributes to ice shelf disintegration and ultimately to global sea-level rise.

In this project, you will explore how we can derive changes in firn properties from satellite observations and monitor firn evolution. By integrating a firn model with satellite remote sensing data through radiative transfer modelling, and informed by laboratory analysis of firn cores collected from the George VI Ice Shelf, you will develop a data assimilation method to emulate changes in firn storage capacity over time. Your work will provide a unique insight into the long-term impact of changing climate conditions on Antarctica’s ice shelves and enhance our understanding of their vulnerability to future changes, thereby reducing the uncertainties in future sea level rise scenarios.

You will work with Dr. Bert Wouters, Dr. Stef Lhermitte, and Prof. Femke Vossepoel. As part of the Cryosphere Group within the Department of Geoscience and Remote Sensing at TU Delft, you will join a dynamic team of postdocs, PhDs, and research partners from across the world. In addition to an engaging research project and a supportive, stimulating work environment, generous funding is available to support scientific travel. We aim to start the project in September 2025.     

Job requirements
We are looking for a motivated researcher with an MSc degree in Earth System Science, Satellite Remote Sensing, Computational (Earth) Science, Applied Physics, Applied Mathematics or a related field. Proficiency in programming is essential for this position. Familiarity and experience in developing machine learning emulators and/or data assimilation will be considered a strong advantage. Additional experience in remote sensing of ice sheets and glaciers is a bonus, as is a background and interest in glaciology.
We welcome applicants who are eager to grow, work both independently and in teams, and contribute to an open and critical scientific environment. Strong communication skills, both written and oral, are important, as is a high level of proficiency in English.

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 of Civil Engineering and Geosciences
The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.

Postdoc in Accurate Automated Fibre Placement Using Pulsed Light Heating

Job description

Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) is one of the methods currently used to produce composite structures in an automated fashion. When using thermoplastic materials, in-situ consolidation can be achieved when using a laser as a heating source. However, lasers are a big investment and come with safety concerns. An alternative heating method, using pulsed light, has been developed and implemented recently, showing promising results.

The goal of this project is to further investigate and optimise AFP using pulsed light as a heat source to achieve in-situ consolidation for thermoplastic composite material. The experimental work will be conducted at SAM XL: the HUMM3 has been integrated on their AFP system already, but the optimal operation and manufacturing parameters definition is to be investigated within this project.

The technology evaluation may also include a comparison with laser heating (which is done by another partner in the project). Further evaluation can include microstructural characterisation, structural characterisation and determining bounds on the manufacturing parameters used during automated fibre placement (i.e., manufacturing envelope).

This position is part of the NXTGEN project and will be jointly supervised by Daniël Peeters – Aerospace Structures and Materials, and a representative of SAM XL.

Job requirements

• We are looking for an enthusiastic researcher with excellent qualifications with a PhD degree (or equivalent) in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related subject.
• Affinity with experimental work relating to composite manufacturing is strongly preferred.
• Experience with research on thermoplastic composites is a big plus.
• You should have a very good command of English language, in direct communication as well as writing skills and should enjoy working in an interdisciplinary environment.
• You are expected to publish scientific articles and participate in international conferences.

For this position a knowledge embargo will be necessary, the candidate should be able to obtain one before the contract can be officially signed if necessary.

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.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.

Postdoc in Accurate Automated Fibre Placement Using Pulsed Light Heating

Job description

Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) is one of the methods currently used to produce composite structures in an automated fashion. When using thermoplastic materials, in-situ consolidation can be achieved when using a laser as a heating source. However, lasers are a big investment and come with safety concerns. An alternative heating method, using pulsed light, has been developed and implemented recently, showing promising results.

The goal of this project is to further investigate and optimise AFP using pulsed light as a heat source to achieve in-situ consolidation for thermoplastic composite material. The experimental work will be conducted at SAM XL: the HUMM3 has been integrated on their AFP system already, but the optimal operation and manufacturing parameters definition is to be investigated within this project.

The technology evaluation may also include a comparison with laser heating (which is done by another partner in the project). Further evaluation can include microstructural characterisation, structural characterisation and determining bounds on the manufacturing parameters used during automated fibre placement (i.e., manufacturing envelope).

This position is part of the NXTGEN project and will be jointly supervised by Daniël Peeters – Aerospace Structures and Materials, and a representative of SAM XL.

Job requirements

• We are looking for an enthusiastic researcher with excellent qualifications with a PhD degree (or equivalent) in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related subject.
• Affinity with experimental work relating to composite manufacturing is strongly preferred.
• Experience with research on thermoplastic composites is a big plus.
• You should have a very good command of English language, in direct communication as well as writing skills and should enjoy working in an interdisciplinary environment.
• You are expected to publish scientific articles and participate in international conferences.

For this position a knowledge embargo will be necessary, the candidate should be able to obtain one before the contract can be officially signed if necessary.

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.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.

PhD Position Embedded AI Diagnosis

Job description
The PhD will work towards analyzing explainable AI (XAI) techniques and designing explainable AI methods for diagnosing embedded AI models. They will focus on analyzing the state-of-the-art model-specific (e.g., integrated gradient) and model-free (e.g., counterfactual instances) XAI methods to identify robustness issues through causal analysis of relevant feature in model behavior. To that end, they will develop principled approaches and practical tools for diagnosing what knowledge the embedded ML model needs thus clearing the roadblock for robust AI. As part of the effort, they will design representation of knowledge of embedded AI and develop a reasoning engine to infer the unknowns of an embedded AI model. The expected results include 1) a human-in-the-loop knowledge extraction approach for describing AI knowledge in semantic concepts and for specifying required mechanisms in specific tasks; 2) a proof-of-concept of proposed diagnosis tool in the selected embedded AI domains.

Job requirements
The successful PhD candidate should:

• Have an MSc in Computer Science, or a closely related field;
• Have demonstrated competencies in one or more of these domains: Crowd Computing, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Data Science, Human Computer Interaction;
• Have strong interest and/or experience conducting empirical and theoretical research;
• Be self-motivated and enjoy research;
• Be a team player;
• Have good communication skills in Engligh.

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 of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.