Postdoc: Open-Source Orbit Dynamics & Tudat Expert

Delft; Delft; Remote; EUR 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Delft University of Technology invites applications for a Postdoc Radio Science & Orbit Determination Researcher/Developer (Tudat). You will combine core Tudat development with radio-science applications to enable high-fidelity orbit propagation and estimation from real tracking data for planetary missions.

You will work with Tudat, publish results, contribute to open science workflows, and collaborate with TU Delft researchers and partner institutes.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field required.
• Strong software engineering skills in C++ and Python with CI/testing.
• Experience in astrodynamics/orbit determination and numerical methods.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Tudat's C++ core and Python interfaces.
• Extend radio-science estimation pipelines with observation and dynamical models.
• Improve background models and data ingestion interfaces for missions.
• Lead application of the framework to selected missions and datasets.
• Contribute to publications describing the platform and results.
• Build end-to-end FAIR and open science workflows with version-controlled setups.
• Write documentation, tutorials, and developer guides; support users.
• Collaborate with platform developers and scientists across TU Delft and partner institutes.

Skills

C++

Python

Git & CI & Testing

Astrodynamics

Open-source collaboration

Radio-tracking data analysis

Education

PhD in Aerospace Engineering / Mechanical / Physics / Astronomy or similar

Tools

Tudat

Job description

The Delft University of Technology invites applications for a Postdoc Radio Science & Orbit Determination Researcher/Developer (Tudat). You will combine core Tudat development with radio-science applications to enable high-fidelity orbit propagation and estimation from real tracking data for planetary missions.

You will work with Tudat, publish results, contribute to open science workflows, and collaborate with TU Delft researchers and partner institutes.