In this PhD project new mathematical techniques will be developed to combine the physical laws that govern fluid flows with methods that can assimilate data into model predictions. This is a cutting-edge research topic in computational science and engineering at the intersection of numerical mathematics, fluid dynamics and recent advances in data-driven techniques.

The specific goal of your PhD project is to arrive at real-time prediction of multiphase flow systems such as slug flow in pipelines. This requires the use of reduced order models that feature several uncertain (unclosed) terms. In this project this closure problem is tackled through the real-time incorporation of data. This data is available from high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations or from experiments.

You will be working closely together with experts from both CWI (dr. Sanderse, dr. Dubinkina and prof. Oosterlee) and Shell Technology Centre Amsterdam (Prof. Henkes). You will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Delft University of Technology from which you will later receive the PhD degree.

We seek a talented and enthusiastic candidate with a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics, Physics, Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline, and a specialization in Numerical Analysis or a related field such as Computational Fluid Dynamics. As a candidate, you are expected to not only have a strong mathematical background, but also to show an interest and an understanding of the physics of multiphase flow systems. Knowledge of topics such as uncertainty quantification, data assimilation and/or machine learning is beneficial. Good programming skills (e.g. Matlab, Python) are essential, and good verbal and written communication skills in English are mandatory.

The terms of employment are in accordance with the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres ("CAO-onderzoeksinstellingen"). The initial labour agreement will be for a period of 18 months. After a positive evaluation, the agreement will extended by 30 months. The gross monthly salary, for a PhD student on a full time basis, is €2,291 during the first year and increases to €2,937 over the four year period.

Employees are also entitled to a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.33%. CWI offers attractive working conditions, including flexible scheduling and help with housing for expat employees.

Please visit our website for more information about our terms of employment: https://www.cwi.nl/jobs/terms-of-employment

Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI)

Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) is the Dutch national research institute for mathematics and computer science and is part of the Institutes Organisation of NWO. The mission of CWI is to conduct pioneering research in mathematics and computer science, generating new knowledge in these fields and conveying it to trade, industry, and society at large.

CWI is an internationally oriented institute, with 160 scientists from approximately 27 countries. The facilities are first-rate and include excellent IT support, career planning, training, and courses.

CWI is located at Science Park Amsterdam that is presently developing into a major location of research in the natural sciences in The Netherlands, housing the sciences of the University of Amsterdam and of the Vrije Universiteit as well as several other national research institutes next to CWI.

http://www.cwi.nl

Scientific Computing research group

CWI’s Scientific Computing group performs high quality research at the frontiers of uncertainty quantification and data assimilation, with application to (computational) fluid dynamics problems, climate and weather systems, etc. For more information about the Scientific Computing group, visit https://www.cwi.nl/research/groups/scientific-computing.