Internal Research Fellow (PostDoc) in High-Speed Flight Vehicle Test Bed Design
Noordwijk, NL
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Our team and mission
The Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Engineering Section is part of ESA’s Propulsion, Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Engineering Division in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
The Aerothermodynamics and Flight Vehicles Engineering Section provides expertise and functional support to ESA projects and carries out technology research and development on flight vehicles, flight physics, aerodynamics, thermodynamics and fluidic engineering. The Section is also the focal point for the architecture design, analysis and technical assessment of flight vehicles, including suborbital, entry/re-entry, space transportation and exploration vehicles.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: https://www.esa.int/
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
In line with the TEC Vision for 2040, the theme of hypervelocity endeavours and innovative propulsion aims to prepare for next-generation flight vehicle architectures accelerating to high speed and operating as airplanes. Apart from the technological challenges in each of the various disciplines involved in creating such a spaceplane, the largest obstacle is to ensure that all of the disciplines operate together successfully throughout the complete flight time.
Individual facilities to verify whether this challenge can be met do not have the required size, nor are they available for the requisite duration. The only way forward is to create a modular flight vehicle test bed capable of addressing the various disciplines, particularly on the aero-propulsive and thermo-mechanical side.
Based on ongoing studies within the Section, you will detail the overall test bed architecture based upon engineering and high-fidelity tools. Existing tools within the Section will be used and extended to gradually refine the aero-propulsive and thermo-mechanical loads and improve the overall vehicle performance accordingly.
The following objectives are envisaged:
- Improve the aero-propulsive design and integration of the internal and external flow path for the test bed using advanced high-speed airbreathing engines, particularly addressing operation over a wide Mach range. This objective will be achieved using engineering and CFD tools capable of addressing high-speed, turbulence, transition, high-speed combustion, and the thermo-mechanical coupling with the thermal protection and structural system.
- Provide pragmatic solutions for the flight vehicle test bed by selecting the right materials and designing subsystems (e.g. the propulsion system) capable of being integrated in the concise vehicle space. Experience with CAD tools would be an asset.
- Generate various aero-propulsive and thermo-mechanical databases along the full trajectory to assess the behaviour and survivability of the test vehicle and the particular technologies mounted, including the integrated heat load and structural integrity.
- Extend the existing toolset to ease and accelerate the design process and the performance assessment.
You will be provided with access to various engineering and computation toolsets along with the high-performance computer. A good background in numerical methods and computational platforms is required.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
Education
You should have recently completed, or be close to completion of a PhD in a related technical or scientific discipline. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their PhD. In particular for this position, the following is required:
PhD in high-speed aerodynamics, turbulence, transition and combustion modelling, or another relevant aerospace engineering discipline.
Additional requirements
In addition to your CV and your motivation letter, please prepare a research proposal of no more than 5 pages. This proposal should be uploaded to the "additional documents" field of the "application information" section.
You should have:
- Demonstrated experience with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is required.
- Experience with computer aided design (CAD) tools would be an asset.
- Experience with programming and scripting languages (e.g. Python) would be an asset.
You should also have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multi-cultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.
At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.
Important Information and Disclaimer
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.
The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.
Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
