Master\'s thesis (f/m/x): Cabin Air Quality Assessment for Formation-Flight Follower Aircraft

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 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