PhD position: System Aspects of Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLVs) within ASCenSIon project (ESR3)
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ORGANISATION/COMPANYDeutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR)
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RESEARCH FIELDEngineering › Aerospace engineering
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RESEARCHER PROFILEFirst Stage Researcher (R1)
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APPLICATION DEADLINE19/04/2020 23:00 - Europe/Brussels
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LOCATIONGermany › Bremen
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TYPE OF CONTRACTTemporary
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JOB STATUSFull-time
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HOURS PER WEEK40
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OFFER STARTING DATE01/10/2020
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EU RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMMEH2020 / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
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MARIE CURIE GRANT AGREEMENT NUMBER860956
About ASCenSIon
The purpose of the ASCenSIon project is to develop a programme that focuses on several specific areas of cutting-edge space access research, particularly on launcher systems that are (partially) reusable and capable of injecting multiple payloads into multiple orbits. More than providing design concepts, the network aims to identify and advance critical technologies to prove a feasibility of these concepts. Fields of research and training include propulsion technologies and their reusability; Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC); aero-thermo-dynamics of re-entry and safe disposal. A variety of technologies will be advanced, including hybrid rocket engines, electric pump feeding and advanced nozzle configurations. Both computational and experimental (cold-flow and hot fire) techniques will ensure an efficient process and reliable results. The reuse of propulsion systems demands an assessment of their durability. It will be conducted by numerical simulations, system analysis with EcosimPro/ESPSS and experimental test runs. The development and integration of wireless sensor networks will allow health monitoring of these critical subsystems. Moreover, novel GNC strategies and processes have to be developed for the whole mission trajectory. This includes solutions for optimised flexibility w.r.t. the orbital insertion conditions as well as dedicated descend trajectories and GNC missionisation for re-entry. The models will cover various recovery concepts and the support of multiple landing sites. This requires an extensive examination of the aero-thermo-dynamics during re-entry as well as of the interactions between stage recovery and propulsion system layout. Ecological and economical sustainability will be addressed as new payload concepts including large constellations increase the demand for safe disposal and space debris mitigation to ensure an open access to space in the future. Furthermore, the utilisation of so called green propellants will be investigated.
The ASCenSIon consortium includes Technische Universität Dresden, German Aerospace Center, SITAEL, Sapienza Università di Roma, ONERA, Université libre de Bruxelles, Hochschule Bremen, Università Di Pisa, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Politecnico di Milano, DEIMOS Space, ArianeGroup, ESA, AVIO, OHB, D-Orbit, SpaceForest and Telematic Solutions.
About the host organization
German Aerospace Center (DLR) is the national aeronautics and space research centre of the Federal Republic of Germany. Its extensive research and development work in aeronautics, space, energy, transport and security is integrated into national and international cooperative ventures. DLR has also been given responsibility by the federal government for the planning and implementation of the German space programme. DLR has approximately 8000 employees at 16 locations in Germany. The involved department´s research covers all aspects of operation of liquid propellant rocket engines with a focus on combustion chamber related topics (DLR Institute of Space Propulsion) and all aspects of Space Launcher System Analysis (DLR SART). The Mobile Rocket Base, abbreviated MORABA, is a department of the DLR Space Operations and Astronaut Training in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich. Since the 1960s, the MORABA has performed scientific high altitude research missions with un-manned rockets and balloons, and has developed the required mechanical and electrical systems. Their operational areas include upper atmosphere research, microgravity research, astronomy, geophysics, materials science, as well as hypersonic research.
The Institute of Space Systems in Bremen designs and analyses future spacecraft and space missions (launchers, orbital and exploration systems, and satellites), and assesses them with regard to their technical performance and cost. The Department of Space Launcher Systems Analysis (Systemanalyse Raumtransport; SART, www.dlr.de/SART) at this institute is responsible for the design and analysis of launcher systems. Areas of research include not only space transportation design, but also the design and analysis of propulsion systems. The ability to closely integrate the simulation and preliminary sizing of launchers and rocket engines places SART in a unique position within Germany. The Department has a wide range of tasks – from independent preliminary designs to the critical analysis and assessment of foreign concepts. A key objective of this research is to identify suitable technologies that will reduce the costs of launching payloads to orbit. The probably most promising approach for achieving this goal is connected to partial reusability of rocket stages and engines. Systematic research on Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLV) and required technologies is in focus at the SART-department. (https://www.dlr.de/EN/)
Your PhD project:
Preliminary multi-disciplinary sizing of winged reusable first stages with a focus on advanced structural design of wing-fuselage connections. Aspects of critical hypersonic aerothermal flow will be considered as well as flight control requirements of unpowered gliding in rapidly changing aerodynamic conditions.
Problem Definition
Due to the complexity of RLVs, one ESR will cover system design aspects. A fast interdisciplinary design process is key to successful analyses of future RLV. Fast structural design methods are needed which take into account the actual flight loads, allow for rapid variation in the design space and are flexible enough for complex shapes of the cross-section.
Research Objectives
- Definition of (semi-) reusable launcher concepts
- Architecture trade-offs and identification of a favourable reusable launcher concept
- Integrated structural pre-design with aerothermal interactions in collaboration with ESR7
Expected Results:
- Definition of (semi-) reusable launcher concepts based on systematic architecture tradeoffs. These concepts are also to be studied on specific aspects in WP2–WP4
- Integrated structural design of RLV considering aerothermal effects investigated by ESR7 taking into account lightweight but robust solution and estimation of performance impact
- RLV design guidelines and engineering methods for fast-integrated multi-disciplinary analyses
Secondments
Two secondments are currently foreseen:
- ONERA, Toulouse (France), on numerical simulation of hypersonic flow around the RLVstage during re-entry for a duration of approximately 4 months
- Deimos, Tres Cantos (Spain), on flight control of winged RLV-stages after separation in gliding reentry from hypersonics (Mach 6+) down to landing approach for a duration of approximately 2 months
Benefits
- You will be working within our international group of > 30 researchers with experience in a broad range of sciences
- You will get in contact with the other members of this international consortium and will benefit from the joint training platform to develop skills necessary for developing a thorough understanding of space transportation systems
- You will be employed by the host organization for 36 months
- A competitive salary plus allowances. Moreover, funding is available for technical and personal skills training and participation in international research events
- You will benefit from the well-structured training programme offered by the host organization and the consortium
- You will participate in international conferences and secondments to other organisations within the ASCenSIon network and in outreach activities targeted at a wide audience
Please find additional information in the Information package for Marie Curie fellows.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants can be of any nationality of the EU or ESA member states.
Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.
In addition: H2020 MSCA Mobility Rule: researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organization (Germany) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status are not taken into account. Eligible researchers must not have spent more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the date of selection in the same appointing international organisation.
H2020 MSCA eligibility criteria: Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) must, at the date of recruitment by the host organization, be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree. Full- Time Equivalent Research Experience is measured from the date when the researcher obtained the degree entitling him/her to embark on a doctorate (either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the researcher is recruited, even if a doctorate was never started or envisaged).
Applicants who do not fulfill these requirements CANNOT be considered for the research position.
Selection process
For the selection procedure, the ASCenSIon consortium will appoint a Committee, consisting of at least three members: one main supervisor, two co-supervisors and the project coordinator from University of Dresden.The preliminary selection is made by review of the application documents specified below. The final selection will be made after interviews with the final candidates. The applicants will be informed about rejection or admission to an interview by end of May at the latest. The interviews will take place either in person at the host institution or via video-conference. The timeframe for the interviews is May - June.
Additional comments
Offer Requirements
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REQUIRED LANGUAGESENGLISH: Excellent
Skills/Qualifications
Essential skills:
- MSc or equivalent in the field of aerospace engineering, which qualifies for a University PhD in Germany
- Applicants must have a solid knowledge of all aerospace engineering disciplines with good understanding of interdisciplinary interactions between the various fields. Main interest of the applicant should be in the area of space transportation (launchers and reentry systems) and specialization on advanced structural design, space propulsion, aerothermodynamics, and trajectory optimization is welcome. Practical expertise in numerical simulation FEM and CFD (EULER or RANS) is further appreciated
- Ability to work highly efficient and self-reliantly in a diverse inter-disciplinary and multicultural environment
- Ability to work in a team, as well as independently
- Ability to solve complex problems with adherence of strict deadlines
- Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) in English to derive the full benefit from the network training
- Proactive attitude
- As secondments and events are foreseen, applicants must be ready to travel
Desired skills:
- Experience in laboratory work including the design, conduction and evaluation of experiments
- Project management
- Knowledge of the host institution language is a plus
Job Work Location 
Personal Assistance locationsEURAXESS offer ID: 501089
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Application
Interested candidates are invited to submit one single PDF containing the following documents in this exact order:
Moreover, you must submit:
All the application documents must be submitted via email to ascension@tu-dresden.de
The email subject must be “Application for ESR3 position”.
The email size incl. attachments must not exceed 30 MB in total.
You will receive an automatic reply if we have received your email. Please avoid any questions on the status of the selection process. We will inform you as soon as there is an update.
Candidates whose application is not compliant with the requirements above will not be considered.
Application deadline: 19 April 2020 at 11:59 PM CET
Expected start date: 1 October 2020
Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.
Candidates can apply to more than one position.
More information and other vacant positions can be found at:
We in the ASCenSIon consortium value diversity and we commit to equal treatment of all applicants irrespective of gender, sexuality, health status as well as social, cultural or religious background.
For additional information about the research project and this individual position, please contact: ascension@tu-dresden.de