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

Safe and certifiable hydrogen-powered aircraft 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. TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference. For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future. 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. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward. 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. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming workplace, assisted by an active Diversity & Inclusion team. This includes tangible support such as funding for extra personnel for family and caregiving responsibilities, mentoring programmes, and initiatives that promote cultural exchange and integration. You don’t just join our faculty — you join a community where you can thrive, grow, and help shape the future of aerospace. 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. 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. Additional information If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Andrei Anisimov, via a.g.anisimov@tudelft.nl. For information about the selection procedure, please contact the ASM secretary team, email: secr-ASM-LR@tudelft.nl. #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. Application procedure Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 2 December 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents: Detailed CV Motivational letter Copies of your PhD and MSc degrees and transcripts You can address your application to Andrei Anisimov. In the motivation letter, please describe the main challenges you expect in measuring the deformation of a full-scale test article during a crash test with high-speed stereo DIC, and in linking these measurements to finite element models. Please note: To protect your personal data, we only accept applications submitted via the ‘Apply’ button advertised under the vacancies on our website. Applications and additional information sent by email or through other channels, including unsolicited applications, will not be considered or responded to. This also applies to open applications. As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security. Please do not contact us for unsolicited services. Working at TU Delft Join the oldest and largest technical university in the Netherlands. Work on clever solutions for worldwide challenges, to change the world and make an impact. Ready to bring your energy to our research? Challenge, change, impact!