Postdoc in Sustainable Design of Aircraft Luggage Bins and Circular Aerospace Components Delft University of Technology in Netherlands

Tu Delft is advertising a postdoc position on sustainable design of aircraft luggage bins, based in the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering. The project sits at the intersection of circular design, life cycle assessment, aerospace engineering, and materials science, with a strong focus on thermoplastic composites and biobased solutions for cabin components.

The research aims to develop circular design principles and methods for an innovative, lightweight door for aerospace overhead stowage compartments. The door is used as a demonstrator for broader application of thermoplastic composites in aircraft interiors, with the goal of reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions while improving maintenance, reuse, and recycling. The role includes mapping product life cycles, developing circular design strategies, performing prospective LCAs, and designing circular supply chain concepts.

The postdoc will work in a multidisciplinary consortium with industrial partners, researchers, and educators. The project includes collaboration on assembly, disassembly, repairability, and user experience in an operational environment, and the successful candidate will also contribute to teaching and supervision of MSc students.

Eligibility highlights: a PhD in design engineering, industrial ecology, aerospace engineering, or a related field; experience in research projects with internal/external partners; experience with prospective lifecycle assessment; affinity with circular and sustainable product design; and English proficiency. Experience with design/prototyping/testing, thermoplastic composite materials, and student supervision is highly valued.

Funding and conditions: 2-year temporary postdoc appointment, 36–40 hours per week, with salary and benefits under the Dutch Universities collective agreement. The vacancy notes temporary external finance and includes standard TU Delft employment benefits.

Application window: apply online by 8 May 2026 through AcademicTransfer. Applicants should upload a CV, motivational letter, and a recent publication and/or prototype relevant to the topic. Email or postal applications will not be processed.