TUD Dresden University of Technology, as a University of Excellence, is one of the leading and most dynamic research institutions in the country. Founded in 1828, today it is a globally oriented, regionally anchored top university as it focuses on the grand challenges of the 21st century. It develops innovative solutions for the world's most pressing issues. TUD has established the Research Training Group "AirMetro - Technological & Operational Integration of Highly Automated Air Transport in Urban Areas" (RTG 2947), funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). This interdisciplinary group, involving five faculties and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), will conduct research on 11 research topics. The goal is to address the technical and social challenges of Innovative Air Mobility (IAM), considering ecological, economic, technological, and sociological factors. The RTG's structured PhD program aims to train young researchers in highly automated, networked mobility, featuring international collaboration with mentors from the USA, Asia, and Europe. TUD and the RTG embody a university culture that is characterized by cosmopolitanism, mutual appreciation, thriving innovation and active participation. 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.
The Research Training Group RTG 2947 "AirMetro", funded by the DFG, offers a position, as

Research Associate / PhD Student (m/f/x)
Job ID: RTG2947-T7/2

(subject to personal qualification employees are remunerated according to salary group E 13 TV-L)

starting May 1, 2026. The position is limited until April 30, 2029. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz - WissZeitVG). The position aims at obtaining further academic qualification (usually PhD).

Job ID: RTG2947-T7/2
Title: Turbulence and VCA induced vortex modelling as safety cases for Urban Air Mobility
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Matthias Mauder, Chair of Meteorology and co-supervised by at least one additional professor plus an international tutor of the RTG

Description of the PhD topic:
Safe and efficient flight operations are essential for IAM using unmanned, highly automated VTOL-capable aircraft. A major hazard for these light and agile vehicles comes from short-term microclimatic effects such as turbulence, which are amplified in urban environments with complex obstacles and rapidly changing wind patterns.
The PhD project focuses on modeling turbulence and vortex effects as critical safety cases for urban air mobility. Generalized models shall be adapted to real urban conditions using a combination of field measurements with 3D Doppler-LIDAR and ultrasonic anemometers, high-fidelity CFD simulations, and controlled experiments. AI-supported methods for spatiotemporal prediction of microclimatic conditions shall be explored to improve risk assessment and support safe UAV operations in dense urban airspaces. Objectives:
The candidate may develop methods to transfer generalized turbulence and vortex models to realistic urban environments. The effects of short-term microclimatic variability and vehicle-induced vortices on VTOL UAV operations shall be quantified.

high-fidelity CFD simulations and controlled wind-tunnel experiments to validate turbulence models
integrate measurement data from Doppler-LIDAR and ultrasonic anemometers to improve model accuracy
Provide validated models that contribute to flight safety assessments, risk mitigation strategies, and digital twin frameworks for IAM operations.

Tasks:


independent and cooperative qualification through scientific research within one of the PhD study projects on offer
training in the technical tasks of the individual dissertation topics through study of the literature and in making the obje...