Are you looking for a PhD position in electric space propulsion, where you can develop and experimentally validate new technologies for future spacecraft?

PhD position in Electric Space Propulsion

04.08.2026, Academic staff

We are hiring a PhD researcher to develop water-based electric propulsion technologies for future spacecraft. The project will investigate how water can be stored, transported and controlled within compact electric thrusters and will contribute to the development of an integrated Water Electrolysis Propulsion system at the Chair of Space Mobility and Propulsion at TUM.

Your job:

You will design, build and experimentally investigate a water-based electric propulsion system. Your work will focus on propellant management, plasma generation and system performance under vacuum conditions.

Your tasks include:

• Design and manufacturing of propulsion prototypes
• Experimental testing and diagnostics
• Modelling and performance analysis
• Development of propellant-control concepts

You will work closely with other projects at our chair, contributing the electric propulsion branch to a complete water-based propulsion system.

Required Skills & Experience:

• At the time of appointment holding a master’s degree with excellent results in disciplines like Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a comparable field of study
• Proven ability to identify and solve problems through a proactive, systematic approach
• Ability to work in a team as well as independently
• Mechanical design as well as analysis of structural and fluid dynamic engineering problems
• Fluent communication skills, both in written and spoken English
• Willingness to attend international conferences and publish internationally

Advantageous Skills:

• Space propulsion knowledge with a preference for electric propulsion
• Highly motivated to carry out a research project and to advance a new space technology
• Strong interest in economically sustainable space mobility
• Engineering tools like CAD-programs (e.g. SolidWorks)
• Programming language skills in Matlab and/or Python
• German language level B1 or higher

What we offer:

• Full position (100% / 40h, pay grade E13, TV-L)
• Flexible solutions for home office and 30 days of paid holidays
• An amazing team and the possibility of getting involved in something big
• Publications in top-tier journals and conferences
• Working on and with an actual rocket engine
• A large network of people in the space business
• We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. We are dedicated to offering an inclusive research environment and encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply, including individuals with disabilities. The position is suitable for disabled persons.

Interested candidates should send their application (incl. CV, motivation letter (max. 1 page), current and past transcript of records, as well as any supporting documents) via E-Mail at:

rfa-jobs.rfa@ed.tum.de (preferably in a single PDF).

We look forward to your application.

Start date: October 2026

Kontakt: rfa-jobs.rfa@ed.tum.de