DOCTORAL RESEARCHER (5) – High-Voltage PPU for E-sail

Euraxess; Dresden; Vor Ort; EUR 22.000 - 31.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Aerospace Engineering, Chair of Space Systems, invites applications for a full-time Research Associate / PhD Student (m/f/x) as part of the E-Sailors network. The project aims to develop a high-voltage power-processing unit for the electric solar wind sail and is funded under the MSCA Horizon Europe program with a 32-month term, starting 1 November 2026.

The position involves independent research, literature review, experimental design, and

Qualifikationen

• University degree (e.g. Master) in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering or related field.
• Solid knowledge in designing high-voltage circuits; space electronics background is an advantage.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Aufgaben

• Undertake innovative and independent research in terms of developing new concepts or improving existing methodologies.
• Carry out literature review, hypothesis development, and experimental design.
• Adapt, develop and learn new tools, software, and methodologies independently.
• Present and publish research in both academic and non-academic audiences; attend conferences and seminars.
• Communicate results in professional written English through reports and publications.
• Work independently while effectively communicating progress and challenges.
• Work in international teams on interdisciplinary problems; address technical challenges independently.
• Stay current with the relevant literature and technologies.
• Actively contribute to public engagement and outreach activities of the project.
• The above job descriptions are not exhaustive; the PhD candidate may undertake other tasks.

Kenntnisse

High-voltage design

Space electronics

English proficiency

Ausbildung

Master degree in electrical engineering or aerospace engineering or related field

Jobbeschreibung

Institute of Aerospace Engineering, the Chair of Space Systems

Organisation/Company Technische Universitaet Dresden Department Institute of Aerospace Engineering, the Chair of Space Systems Research Field Engineering » Aerospace engineering Engineering » Electrical engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 18 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) Country Germany Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Nov 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101227277 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

TUD Dresden University of Technology, as a University of Excellence, is one of the leading and most dynamic
research institutions in the country. For TUD diversity is an essential feature and a quality criterion of an excellent
university. Accordingly, we welcome all applicants who would like to commit themselves, their achievements and
productivity to the success of the whole institution.

At the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Institute of Aerospace Engineering, the Chair of Space
Systems offers a full-time position as

Research Associate / PhD Student (m/f/x)
E-Sailors - Electric solar wind Sail doctors
(salary according to MSCA regulation)
starting November 1, 2026.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program
under the MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE grant agreement no 101227277.

Research areas: DC5: High-Voltage PPU for E-sail
Terms: The position is limited to 32 months. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed
Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz – WissZeitVG).
Supervisory team: Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Martin Tajmar, Co-Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jaan Praks
Secondment: 2 months at Aalto university in Finland

About E-Sailors: The Electric solar wind Sail doctors (E-sailors) is a challenge-based Doctoral Network that aims to
bring Electric solar wind sail (E-sail) from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) demonstration missions to the operational
environment of the solar wind. It is delivered by 8 universities in cooperation with FMI, where E-sail was invented,
and 4 companies.
E-sail is a highly innovative and potentially disruptive propellantless propulsion system. An operational E-sail consists
of hair-thin and kilometers-long wires, or tethers, which are charged at a high voltage creating an electrostatic
sheath (electric sail) which deflects solar wind particles and generates the propulsive effect in interplanetary
environment. Successful and rapid development and deployment of the technology will ensure EU's leadership in the
exploration and exploitation of deep space, the next commercial space frontier.
The program is designed to achieve the following training objectives for our doctoral candidates: 1) Equip them with
core scientific skills and specialized knowledge in designing experiments for demonstrating space technologies and
developing space missions; 2) Provide them with a wide range of transferrable skills, such as Open Science and FAIR,
communicating science to public, advocacy, networking etc.; 3) Develop their business and entrepreneurship skills,
such as IPR management, preliminary business planning, pitching to investors, starting start-ups.

Project description: This position dubbed “E-Sailor 5” will be responsible for developing a high-voltage PPU that shall
power the E-Sail electron emitter, sail and associated devices.
The E-Sail electron gun needs a power-processing-unit to provide the required voltages and currents. As a start,
voltages in the range of 20 kV and currents in the hundreds of μA are needed, to be determined in close cooperation
with E-Sailor 6. The challenge is to design a PPU that can withstand vacuum and space environments and therefore
needs to be very efficient to minimize cooling. The design shall form the basis for variations that can power other
related propulsion concepts in the TUD lab like those developed by E-Sailor 3.
Prototypes shall be built and thoroughly tested to match performance and lifetime requirements. In the end, support
shall be given to support payload integration for the ESTCube-LuNa mission.

Tasks:

• Undertake innovative and independent research in terms of developing new concepts or improving existing methodologies.
• Carry out literature review, hypothesis development, and experimental design.
• Adapt, develop and learn new tools, software, and methodologies independently.
• Present and publish research in both academic and non-academic audiences. Attend and participate in academic and non-academic conferences, events and seminars.
• Communicate results in professional written English thorough reports and publications.
• Work independently while effectively communicating progress and challenges.
• Work in international teams and on interdisciplinary problems, while also identify and address technical challenges independently.
• Stay current with the relevant literature and technologies.
• Actively contribute to the public engagement and outreach activities of the project.
• The above job descriptions are not exhaustive, the PhD candidate may be required to undertake other tasks, which are broadly in line with the above duties and responsibilities.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Engineering » Aerospace engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Engineering » Electrical engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• university degree (e.g. Master) electrical engineering, aerospace engineering or related field. Copies of bachelor's and master's diplomas and academic transcripts/diploma supplements (with translations, if applicable). Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master’s degree, by sending a provisionary Master's degree. But cannot receive an employment contract before having obtained the master’s degree.
• Solid knowledge in designing high-voltage circuits. Space electronics background is an advantage.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English. Proof of English language proficiency.

Specific Requirements

• The primary workplace will be in Dresden, Germany. Therefore, candidates from outside the EU must be eligible to obtain a visa. The position is expected to start in the first half of 2026.
• Residency history of last 36 months and main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organization of last 36 months.
• As secondments and events are foreseen, applicants must be ready to travel.
• A competitive salary according to MSCA regulations (see page 118ff), including a living allowance, a mobility allowance and, if eligible, a family allowance. The stated allowances represent the gross funding amounts. Employer contributions to social security, health insurance, and other statutory costs will be deducted in accordance with the applicable national regulations.
• Covered tuition costs, research costs and funding for short term mobility (i.e. conference attendance).
• Interdisciplinary and international research projects.

TUD strives to employ more women in academia and research. We therefore expressly encourage women to apply. The University is a certified family-friendly university. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities. If multiple candidates prove to be equally qualified, those with disabilities or with equivalent status pursuant to the German Social Code IX (SGB IX) will receive priority for employment.

Eligibility criteria

• The applicant must have a university degree (MSc degree or equivalent).
• The applicant must not already be in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.
• MSCA Mobility Rule: At the time of recruitment, the researcher must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Germany for more than 12 months in the three years immediately prior to the recruitment date. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not considered.

Applicants who do not fulfill the Mobility Rule and the Eligibility Criteria CANNOT be considered for the research position.

Applicants can be of any nationality within laws of EU to enter the EU countries.

Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master’s degree, but cannot receive an employment contract before having obtained the master’s degree.

Selection process

• Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and suitability based on the criteria listed for each position.
• After shortlisting, candidates will be invited for online interviews with the respective recruitment committees.
• The recruiting institution will send out notification of the selection outcome after the online interview.