Post Doctoral Fellow, Aerospace Engineering

1. General Details

Job Title: Post Doctoral Fellow (External Project: 8434000533)

Reporting Line: Reports To Dr. Elena Fantino

Department: Aerospace Engineering

2. Job Purpose

Support the collaboration between Khalifa University (KU) and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in the development of technologies for Hall effect thrusters (HETs). The project aims to design, optimize, manufacture and test different HET models and propellants in the thrust range from 5 mN to 140 mN. The goal is to be able to provide electric propulsion capability to Cubesats to enable formation flying and orbit keeping, in addition to lunar and interplanetary missions.

This collaboration seeks to develop a concurrent (multidisciplinary) approach to the optimization of HETs and LT based on reduced-order modelling with Machine Learning techniques. This multidisciplinary optimization tool will narrow down the design space allowing further optimization using more accurate HET physics-based models and higher-fidelity optimization LT trajectory algorithms. This will achieve a reduction of the computational load and time without compromising the accuracy of the calculations.

3. Key Roles & Responsibilities

Strategic Responsibilities

The successful applicant will support directly the technology transfer activities between KU and TII. This will consolidate and expand the expertise of the Astrodynamics Group, under the supervision of Dr. Elena Fantino, in the field of space mission optimization and low-thrust trajectory analysis. It will also establish TII as a major player in the local space industry. This will boost EUE’s capabilities and competitiveness, both at the academic and industrial level, in the strategic area of Aerospace Engineering.

Under the umbrella of this project, it is expected that undergraduate students from KU will obtain an opportunity to collaborate with TII through Senior Design Projects. This will dramatically improve their technical skills by giving them a chance to participate in state-of-the-art industrial development activities.

The successful candidate will act as liaison point between KU and TII, take charge of the development, testing and application of multidisciplinary optimization tools and assist with in mentoring KU students collaborating with the project.

Operational Responsibilities

The successful candidate will expand the optimization capabilities or the astrodynamics research group led by Dr. Elena Fantino. The applicant is expected to develop optimization software to guide the design of Hall effect thrusters at TII. The goal is to assist the design, optimization, manufacture and test of different HET models and propellants in the thrust range from 5 mN to 140 mN. These will provide electric propulsion capability to Cubesats and small satellites, enabling formation flying and orbit keeping, in addition to lunar and interplanetary missions.

Building on the group’s existing suite of optimization tools for interplanetary trajectory optimization with low-thrust and multiple gravity assist maneuvers, the candidate will expand the capabilities to tailor the software to the needs of TII.

Using the newly developed tools, the candidate will assist TII in the design and optimization of prototype HETs.

The successful applicant is expected to work independently on the assigned tasks, to collaborate with the rest of the research group and act as liaison point with the industrial partner, being in charge of regular reporting as stated in the collaboration agreement. He will also document research results in refereed journal publications and present them at conferences and to the general public. The expected total duration of the appointment is two years, with continuity conditioned to successful periodic performance reviews. The expected start date is 1 September August 2023.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The candidate is expected to assist in the mentoring of undergraduate students enrolled in the BSc Degree Program in Aerospace Engineering preparing their Senior Design Project in the framework of the collaboration with TII.

 Qualifications

4. Qualifications & Experience

• Required Qualifications
• PhD Degree in Aerospace Engineering or equivalent

Required Experience

Minimum two 2 years of experience in optimization of interplanetary trajectories with electric propulsion and multiple gravity-assist maneuvers. Strong background in astrodynamics, celestial mechanics and numerical simulation is a must. Knowledge in the broader area of spacecraft and space mission design will constitute an advantage.

Should you require further assistance or if you face any issue with the online application, please feel to contact the Recruitment Team (recruitmentteam@ku.ac.ae).

Should you require further assistance or if you face any issue with the online application, please feel to contact the Recruitment Team (recruitmentteam@ku.ac.ae).

Primary Location: Abu Dhabi UAE
Job: Post Doctoral Fellow
Schedule: Regular
Shift: Standard
Job Type: Full-time