Researcher (PhD position) in Chemical Rocket Propulsion (HySCORE) M/W/X

MAIN TASKS

• Investigate and analyse candidate material combinations for a SCOG that provides the desired flow of oxygen over the fuel ignition temperature, based on literature studies and experimental work;
• Carry out a safety study of the materials and their handling;
• Supervise laboratory and field tests to characterise the performance, sensitivity and ageing characteristics of the material;
• Design and test of a SCOG prototype to parametrize its performance;
• Design and test of a SCOG hybrid rocket motor to demonstrate the feasibility of the concept;
• Publish research outcomes in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at relevant conferences.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Degree required: Master's degree in Engineering or Applied Sciences in the field of Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Sciences or Mechanical Engineering.This position is open for junior profiles (ideally 0-3 years of experience).

¿MUST HAVE¿ skills

• Basic knowledge of chemical rocket propulsion, combustion or energetic materials. •

Practical engineering skills for designing, detailing, and realizing a research test setup, including CAD design, manufacturable part development, assembly, alignment, and commissioning.

¿NICE TO HAVE¿ skills

• Ability to develop and apply experimental procedures, perform testing, and generate datasets for analysis and validation. •

Practical experience in chemical rocket propulsion testing or in other energetic materials domains.

Personal skills

• You conduct scientific research in an independent and upright way within a multidisciplinary environment.
• You think in an innovative and creative way.
• You communicate your results in a clear, concise and precise manner.
• You are involved and result oriented. •

You are honest, loyal toward the institution and respect confidentiality.

Other skills

• The applicant shall have good knowledge of English (oral / written).
• Minimum knowledge of French or Dutch is an added value for collaboration with peers.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• The researcher may be exposed to classified information and will therefore have to obtain the required security clearance. The candidate must consent with the background check required to obtain this clearance, which will be executed by Belgian Defence.
• Only applicants with a nationality of a country that is part of NATO or the EU will be eligible.
• Working for the Patrimony requires living in Belgium for the duration of the study.

CONTRACT

• Probable date of recruitment: From October 2026, in consultation with the applicant.
• Status: Full-time employment based on an open-ended contract with the Patrimony of the Royal Military Academy (you will not be a civil servant). Please note that your contract will be open-ended, but the financing of the contract will be tied to the funding project, which is guaranteed until August 2030. This is not a permanent position. The project is funded until August 2030, continuation is possible but not guaranteed.
• Salary scale: wage scale NA21 (holder of an Ir degree or equivalent Master's in Engineering Sciences), with valuable / relevant seniority. A salary simulation can be done here: Simulateur de salaire . RMA applies a merit-based research career track, allowing researchers to advance in wage scale based upon annual evaluations. •

Holiday pay.

EXTRA LEGAL BENEFITS

• Possibility to benefit from a bilingualism allowance (Dutch/French) following a SELOR test;
• End-of-year bonus;
• Free DKV hospitalization insurance. Possibility of additional affiliation for one or more persons living under the same roof: spouse, child(ren) (50% of the price per additional member);
• Bike allowance / Free public transport (home-work commute);
• Meal vouchers (6€ / day);
• Digital allowance (15€ / month);
• Free access to campus sports facilities outside working hours;
• On-campus restaurant and cafeteria with democratic prices (discount on the daily menu);
• Flexible working hours within the 38-hour week;
• Teleworking possible with allowance (2 days / week max);
• Holidays:
• 29 days holiday / year from the 1st year of contract (then from 45 years: +1 day holiday every 5 years)
• 1 week OFF every year between Christmas and New year's Eve (independent of the annual balance of holidays).
• Advantages and interesting offers thanks to the Benefits@work card (discounts, vouchers...);
• Entitlement to services offered by the `Office Central d'Action Sociale et Culturelle de la Défense' (OCASC): among others holiday centres, discount on travel organised by the tour operator...;
• Possibility to benefit from the nursery funded by Belgian Defence (subject to availability).