PhD position - Gust load alleviation to enhance human performance and comfort

Clear air turbulence (CAT) cannot be detected by the weather radar on current aircraft. Therefore, heavy CAT still contributes significantly to the number of aviation incidents. Furthermore, light and medium CAT can cause significant discomfort and inhibit human performance of both crew and passengers. Research at amongst others JAXA and DLR has shown that LiDAR can be used to detect CAT and measure the corresponding gust velocities.

Active gust load alleviation

With the LiDAR measurements of CAT its impact on the aircraft can be estimated and, with appropriate control action, alleviated. However, due to the high frequency and intensity of the gust loads, this is not a straight-forward task. Additionally, the linear accelerations caused by gust loads can only be counteracted indirectly through aircraft rotation, which means that the load alleviation can never be perfect everywhere in the plane.

Human performance and comfort

Current research mostly focusses on the alleviation of structural loads caused by CAT. While this is essential to prevent incidents under heavy CAT, in light or medium CAT the effect on the passengers and crew becomes an important factor.

While every person is different, models and experimental test give us a good idea of what causes motion sickness or how motion affects e.g. our ability to manipulate a touchscreen. The aim of this PhD position is to introduce human performance and comfort as a factor in the design gust alleviation control.

Job description

The PhD position will address the use of gust alleviation in the context of human performance and passenger comfort. To this end the candidate will:

• Implement a LiDAR based wind velocity estimation on the TUDelft/NLR research aircraft (PH-LAB);

• Design gust alleviation controllers which consider human performance and comfort;

• Perform flight tests on our Citation aircraft to validate the results;

• Publish the results though relevant conferences and journal papers.

What do we expect?

• A completed Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering;

• Affinity with flight testing;

• Experience in analysing and understanding complex problems;

• Demonstrated interest in conducting PhD research;

• Commitment to carrying out 4 years of research and culminating in a thesis;

• Excellent writing skills and the drive to publish in scientific journals.

What are we offering?

Royal NLR has been an ambitious knowledge institution for applied research for over 100 years. Our work involves finding and developing innovative solutions to complex challenges in aerospace, both in our own country and abroad. Working at NLR means working in a national and international high-tech environment. Collaboration and involvement are of paramount importance to us. By giving you freedom and personal responsibility, you are best able to achieve groundbreaking innovations.

• A meaningful job with a high-quality national knowledge institute and the opportunity to perform flight tests;

• 45 days off (with full-time employment) so that you can also fully enjoy your free time in addition to your challenging job;

• A fixed end-of-year bonus of 8%;

• A contribution towards your healthcare costs;

• Extra paid parental leave;

• The possibility to work from home;

• Technical challenge and autonomy.

The doctoral research is carried out in cooperation with Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering. The study will take place primarily at NLR (Amsterdam and Rotterdam).

About Royal NLR

Royal NLR has been a knowledge organization with the will and ambition to innovate for over 100 years. Based on that motivation, we make the world of aviation and space travel safer, more sustainable, more efficient and effective and stand for groundbreaking innovations. We employ more than 950 passionate professionals, from aircraft engineers to psychologists and from mathematicians to application experts. NLR stands for an inclusive and diverse organization where everyone feels welcome, safe, valued and respected.

Want to know more?

Call or email Pien Moller (recruiter) via 0611443915 or pien.moller@nlr.nl.

Want to apply?

Great, we look forward to receiving your application! Send your CV and motivation letter via the  'apply' button.
A positive outcome of a security investigation (VGB) is a condition for employment. You can read more about this on the website of the AIVD

We have our own recruitment team and therefore do no appreciate acquisition.