The last decades there has been a growing interest in urban flows, linked to an increase attraction to the exploitation of the urban air space. Some contributions have focused on evaluating the impact of urban layouts on airflows, specifically looking at wind, heat and pollution dispersion. In this position, the researcher will explore multi-fidelity techniques (that combine low and high-fidelity CFD simulations) to improve numerical predictions in urban environments, specifically addressing uncertainties related to turbulence modeling, geometry simplification and changing inflow conditions.

The 3D Geoinformation research group, Section Urban Data Science has an open 3-year position for a researcher (Postdoc) to specifically address the project tasks 1) To complete a large set of evaluations with RANS considering progressively from idealised geometries to complex realistic building layouts with a second-order level of detail. The simulations will be run embedded in an uncertainty framework that allows us to account and prepare for changing meteorological conditions; 2) To couple low- and high-fidelity CFD approaches with a multi-fidelity approach using the open-source library Dakota. With this approach, high-fidelity methods based on LES can be combined with the fast-pace and geometrically detailed RANS simulations to retrieve surface responses. Our uncertainty quantification (UQ) framework will take into account stratification, wind gusts and orientation of the incoming flow as uncertain parameters, and we will obtain associated error bars in our flow predictions.

The position will be embedded in the 3D Geoinformation research group , Section Urban Data Science, Delft University of Technology. The group focuses on the technologies underpinning geographical information systems (GIS), and aims at designing, developing, and implementing better systems to model 3D cities, buildings and landscapes. It is a multidisciplinary group of around 25 people, including computer scientists, geomatics engineers, and geographers. The group has a history of successful collaborations with the industry and the government: its research has led to open source software, standards, 3D open data and patents for the management of 3D geographic information and Building Information Models.

The researcher will work in close collaboration with the framework under the REFMAP consortium, which aims at developing a digital service that quantifies the environmental footprints of air mobility for airliners and UAS at a "multi-scale" level.

Applicants should:

• Hold a PhD degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, geoinformatics/geomatics, computer science, applied mathematics, or in a related engineering discipline.
• Have experience in computational fluid dynamics, machine learning, 3D modelling, preferably from a programming perspective.
• Have good software development skills. Experience with C++ is beneficial.
• Have a good command of English (oral and written).
• Have an affinity with working in multi‐disciplinary teams in an international oriented environment.

Fixed-term contract: 2.5-3 years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The salary is min. €2.960,- to max. € 5.439,- gross per month (salary scale 10 or 11; depending on the experience and education level of the candidate). Besides the salary you also receive an annual holiday payment of 8% and an end of year bonus payment of 8.3%. 

The position has a fixed-term contract of 2.5-3 years.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Architecture & the Built Environment

The Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment has a leading role in education and research worldwide. The driving force behind the faculty’s success is its robust research profile combined with the energy and creativity of its student body and academic community. It is buzzing with energy from early in the morning until late at night, with four thousand people studying, working, designing, conducting research and acquiring and disseminating knowledge. Our faculty has a strong focus on 'design-oriented research’, which has given it a top position in world rankings.

Staff and students are working to improve the built environment with the help of a broad set of disciplines, including architectural design, urban planning, building technology, social sciences, process management, and geo-information science. The faculty works closely with other faculties, universities, private parties, and the public sector, and has an extensive network in the Netherlands as well as internationally.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment.

Department of Urbanism
The Department of Urbanism in the Faculty of Architecture conducts education and research in the fields of Urbanism, Landscape Architecture, and Geo-information. The department uses the Delft approach, an multidisciplinary and integrated approach that combines urban design, spatial planning, landscape architecture, environment technology, urban studies and geo-information. The department has a very good reputation worldwide in the field of research and education. Urbanism is best known for its 'unity of urbanism', which combines the creativity of design with scientific research methods. This combination is highly regarded in professional practice, research and education.