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Master's thesis (f/m/x): Cabin Air Quality Assessment for Formation-Flight Follower Aircraft
Job Description
Req ID:  1524
Place of work:  Oberpfaffenhofen
Starting date:  01.06.2025
Career level:  Student research project and final thesis
Type of employment:  Part time
Duration of contract:  6 to 12 months (depending on the final thesis)

Remuneration: Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector - Federal Government (TVöD-Bund)

Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V.; DLR) and help shape the future through research and innovation! We offer an exciting and inspiring working environment driven by the expertise and curiosity of our 11,000 employees from 100 nations and our unique infrastructure. Together, we develop sustainable technologies and thus contribute to finding solutions to global challenges. Would you like to join us in addressing this major future challenge? Then this is your place!

The Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the German Aerospace Center investigates the physics and chemistry of the global atmosphere from the ground to an altitude of 120 km.

What to expect

The department´s research focuses on thunderstorms, wake vortices, noise, wind energy, gravity waves and turbulence. This Master’s thesis shall investigate air quality impacts on follower aircraft in formation flight. The project addresses a critical gap in understanding how exhaust plumes from leader aircraft affect cabin air quality in trailing aircraft, with implications for passenger/crew health and operational safety.

 

The thesis offers

  • access to DLR’s advanced TAU-MGLET simulation tools and expertise
  • integration into a multidisciplinary team researching aviation’s climate impacts
  • opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge strategies for sustainable aviation

 

Your tasks

  • Implement one-way coupling in TAU-MGLET to treat exhaust gases as passive tracers.
  • Analyze high-resolution CFD results to map contamination potential.
  • Collaborate with DLR experts in wake vortex dynamics and aviation climate impacts.

 

Your profile

  • bachelor’s degree in MINT field (e.g., aerospace engineering, physics, computational fluid dynamics)
  • CFD proficiency (experience with RANS/LES methods preferred)
  • English fluency (written/spoken)
  • familiarity with Fortran (code adaptation/analysis)
  • interest in aviation environmental impacts

Depending on qualifications and assignment of tasks, remuneration will be up to pay grade: Bachelor's thesis 3 or Master's thesis 5 TVöD Bund.

We offer

DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.

We look forward to getting to know you!

 

If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 1524) please contact:

 

Dr. Anton Stephan
Tel.: 08153-28-2566
Apply now