Assistant Professor of Miniaturised Space Systems

Challenge: Developing novel technologies to miniaturise satellites.

Change: Making satellites more capable and affordable.

Impact: Meeting rapidly growing societal demands for satellite capabilities

Job description

The ever increasing need for communication and global Earth observation is the main driver of miniaturisation of space systems, such as CubeSats. The relatively low costs of development and launching, and short development times mean that distributed miniaturised satellites could increasingly outperform large satellites when working together. Yet to dramatically enhance the capabilities of such systems, research is crucial. As an Assistant Professor in miniaturised space systems at TU Delft, you will conduct unique research into the miniaturisation of satellites, especially on subsystems and components. Bridging fundamental and applied science, your prototypes may even fly in orbit.

In this role, you will develop your vision and your own research line related to any miniaturised subsystem or component, such as – but not limited to – mechanisms, sensors or actuators. To realise your research, you will attract funding from e.g. ESA, the Dutch Research Council, or industrial partners. Depending on your research, you will be working with leading space companies and agencies, users of space technologies, universities and research institutes. You will also build your team of PhD students, whom you will supervise to completion. In addition, you will teach BSc and MSc courses, and supervise laboratory experiments and the development of satellite subsystems and components. You will also disseminate your knowledge by publishing and speaking at conferences.

Your home base will be the internationally diverse team of, more than 20 academic staff and PhD students in the section of Space Engineering Systems. We share an ambition to be the best in the world of miniaturised and distributed space systems. State-of-the-art research facilities, including a cleanroom, a laser communication lab and our brand new Guidance, Navigation and Control lab are at your disposal. Fostering an open and friendly culture, we encourage easy and straight forward communication. And you will get all the support and coaching you need to evolve and develop your academic career.

Requirements

• You have a PhD in a relevant subject, such as - but not limited to - Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering.
• You have an outstanding research record as demonstrated by excellent publications.
• You have extensive experience of mechatronics or miniaturisation at subsystem/component level (past experience with space systems is desired but not mandatory).
• You have an international profile with an active international network of scientific contacts.
• You have an appreciation of the complexity of real-life space systems and a passion for conducting research geared to the engineering of them.
• You have the capability to contribute to high-quality teaching, demonstrated by teaching experience at university level.
• You have a good command of spoken and written English, as you’ll be working in an internationally diverse community and with international partners

Conditions of employment

This position is offered as an Academic Career Track position (0.8 – 1.0 FTE). During the Academic Career Track, we expect you to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. With other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development programme, where you are offered ample opportunities to develop yourself in the areas of Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation. You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development plan and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track. You will start with a temporary contract that will be converted to a permanent contract no later than 12 -18 months after a positive evaluation, based on continuous confidence in your development potential and fit in the organisation.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme as part of the Academic Career Track Development programme.

TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

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 and you can work partly from home.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service addresses the needs of new international employees and those of their partners and families. The Coming to Delft Service offers personalised assistance during the preparation of the relocation, finding housing and schools for children (if applicable). In addition, a Dual Career Programme for partners is offered. The Coming to Delft Service will do their best to help you settle in the Netherlands.

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. 

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

Application procedure

Are you our new Assistant Professor in miniaturised space systems? Please apply no later than 1 May 2024 via the application button and upload your application material, including:

• A cover letter (please clearly indicate how your interest/experience is linked with and complement the aforementioned research areas and teaching activities),
• A detailed CV (including publication list, contributions to education and valorisation achievements),
• Research statement,
• Education statement,
• Two reference letters, and
• Other information that might be relevant to your application.

Please note:

• Applying for an exemption for specific research and educational areas is an obligatory part of the selection procedure for this vacancy. This exemption must be obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) before an employment contract is agreed upon. Click here for more information.
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.
• If you missed the deadline, please contact Dr. Jian Guo (j.guo@tudelft.nl) since we regularly have new opportunities in our section.

For information about the application procedure, please contact Dr. Jian Guo,  - email: j.guo@tudelft.nl or by phone:  (+)31-15-2785990

Pre-employment screening

A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.