PhD Position: Electron Emitter for Electric Solar Wind Sail (E-Sail) – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (DC6) TUD Dresden University of Technology in Germany

TUD Dresden University of Technology invites applications for a fully funded PhD position (Research Associate) in the field of electric solar wind sail (E-sail) technology, as part of the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (E-Sailors, DC6). The position is based at the Chair of Space Systems, Institute of Aerospace Engineering, and focuses on the development of an electron emitter for E-sail applications, with a start date of May 1, 2026 and a duration of 36 months.

The E-Sailors network aims to advance E-sail technology from low Earth orbit demonstrations to operational use in the solar wind, supporting the EU's leadership in deep space exploration. The project is a collaboration among 8 universities, FMI (where E-sail was invented), and 4 companies, offering a unique interdisciplinary and international research environment. The successful candidate will work on designing, prototyping, and testing an electron gun compatible with the ESTCube-LuNa mission, addressing challenges such as high-voltage acceleration (20 kV), volume and weight constraints, and harsh space environments (e.g., atomic oxygen, plasma).

Supervision will be provided by Prof. Dr. Martin Tajmar (TUD Dresden) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jaan Praks (Aalto University, Finland). The position includes a 2-month secondment at Aalto University, further enhancing international exposure and collaboration.

Key benefits:

• Competitive salary and allowances according to MSCA regulations (living, mobility, and family, if eligible)
• Full coverage of tuition, research, and short-term mobility costs
• Participation in a cutting-edge, EU-funded research network
• Comprehensive training in scientific, technical, and transferable skills (Open Science, entrepreneurship, communication, etc.)
• Supportive, diverse, and family-friendly academic environment

Eligibility and requirements: Applicants must hold (or be about to obtain) a Master’s degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or a related field. Experience with electron/ion beams and experimental design is essential. Excellent English proficiency is required. Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree and must comply with the MSCA mobility rule (not have resided or worked/studied in Germany for more than 12 months in the past 36 months). Candidates must be eligible to enroll in the PhD program at TU Dresden and, if non-EU, must be able to obtain a German visa.

Application process: Submit a single PDF with the required documents (application form, motivation letter, CV, references, certificates, passport) via the TUD SecureMail Portal or by email to [email protected] by January 30, 2026. A short video introduction is also required. Detailed instructions and forms are available in the full position description and on the project website. Only complete and compliant applications will be considered.

For more information, visit the E-Sailors project page or the official application link.