PhD Position Optical Characterisation of Limits in Materials under Cryogenic

PhD Position:
Optical Characterisation of Performance Limits in Materials under Cryogenic Conditions

Challenge: Characterise aerospace materials under cryogenic and dynamic loading.

Change: Optical testing in extreme conditions.

This PhD project investigates how aerospace materials deform, degrade and ultimately limit structural performance when exposed to cryogenic temperatures and different strain rate regimes. The position is part of the Dutch Aviation Systems Analysis Lab (DASAL), a collaboration between TU Delft and Royal NLR within the Dutch Luchtvaart in Transitie programme. DASAL develops computational and simulation models to assess the effects of aviation innovations and policy choices on sustainability, economic, and societal impact.

The growing interest in hydrogen as an alternative fuel for aviation has increased the need to understand how aerospace materials behave under cryogenic temperatures as low as 20 K (−250 °C) and in contact with hydrogen. This project aims to develop and formalise knowledge concerning the deformation mechanisms of materials in cryogenic conditions at various strain rates, focusing on the creation of testing methodologies that can accurately observe, detect, and measure deformation and damage under large temperature gradients.

The developed methodologies will provide reliable experimental data to validate new numerical models and contribute to the certification of future composite structures. Optical measurement techniques such as digital image correlation, pattern tracking, high‑speed imaging, and thermography will be explored to enable full‑field characterisation of deformation, strain localisation, and damage evolution under cryogenic and strain‑rate‑dependent loading conditions.

• What measurement techniques can enable the observation of relevant deformation and damage phenomena in experiments under cryogenic conditions?
• How can the constraints imposed by cryogenic testing conditions be rationally overcome to characterise material behaviour reliably?
• What characterises the strain‑rate dependence of material deformation in cryogenic conditions, from quasi‑static to dynamic loading?

As a PhD candidate you will:

• Design, set up, and conduct optical metrology experiments under cryogenic and high‑strain‑rate conditions.
• Develop and optimise measurement and data‑analysis methodologies, including digital image correlation, high‑speed imaging, and thermography.
• Analyse experimental data to characterise deformation mechanisms and damage evolution.
• Validate experimental results with numerical simulations and contribute to the certification of composite structures.
• Disseminate your findings through journal articles, conference presentations, and industrial outreach.
• Collaborate with researchers from different disciplines within the Optical Metrology for Aerospace and Design of Structures groups.

• A Master’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, applied physics, materials science, experimental mechanics, instrumentation, or a related discipline.
• A strong interest in experimental testing, material characterisation and the behaviour of materials under extreme environmental and loading conditions.
• Hands‑on experience with experimental set‑ups, measurement systems, optical measurement techniques, mechanical testing, or laboratory instrumentation.
• Experience with digital image correlation, image processing, high‑speed imaging, thermography, cryogenic testing, composite materials, numerical modelling, or non‑destructive testing is a plus.
• Capacity to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good communication skills and the ability to collaborate with researchers from different disciplines.

This position is shared by the Optical Metrology for Aerospace (OMA) and Design of Structures research groups, both within the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology. Your supervisors will be Dr. Andrei Anisimov and Dr. Saullo Castro.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4‑year period of employment, divided into two…