The project will focus on the study of turbulent flows over metal foams. Metal foams are a particular kind of porous surfaces that are widely used in aerospace engineering because they are lightweight and resistant. Typical applications of metals foams include heat transfer enhancement in heat exchangers or airfoil trailing edge noise reduction.

The candidate will perform high fidelity simulations of turbulent flows over these surfaces and use the dataset to develop AI-driven tools for predicting the permeability, with the final goal to develop models that predict aerodynamic drag and heat transfer.

The candidate will be embedded in the AI Fluids lab, and work in collaboration with experienced researchers and other PhD students working on turbulent flows and artificial intelligence.

The candidate should meet the following requirements:

• MSc degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or applied physics.
• Strong background in fluid mechanics (e.g. MSc thesis on a fluids-related topic)
• Strong background in mathematics and physics
• Excellent track record in BSc and MSc degrees
• Proficiency in the English language, both oral and written
• Strong motivation towards pursuing a PhD
• Be able to work in a team with other researchers

The following skills are also highly appreciated:

• Knowledge of turbulent flows, in particular wall turbulence
• Knowledge of numerical methods for fluid dynamics
• Knowledge of different programming languages (e.g. Fortran, C++, Python)
• Knowledge of artificial intelligence

Experience with high performance and parallel computing

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 5 years.

The expected duration of a Doctoral programme is standard 4 years. The expected duration of your PhD promotion process within [or: related to] the TU Delft AI labs programme is 5 years. As a TU Delft AI lab PhD candidate, you will be specifically deployed for AI-related education within the TU Delft AI labs programme. The extra fifth year accommodates for the additional teaching load with regard to AI, Data and Digitalization education related activities.

For assessment of your suitability as a PhD candidate, TU Delft first enters into an employment contract with you for the duration of 18 months on the basis of Article 2.3, paragraph 8 subsection b CAO NU Dutch Universities (hereinafter: CAO NU). In case of proven suitability (Go), the employment contract will be continued for the remaining expected duration of 3,5 years of your PhD promotion programme pursuant to Article 2.3, paragraph 8 subsection a of the CAO NU.

Your salary is € 2.443,00 gross per month, in accordance with salary scale PROM, step 0. This is based on the UFO job profile and level of your position. After completing the first twelve months of your Doctoral programme, you will automatically receive a pay rise to the next salary step. If your work is assessed satisfactorily at subsequent annual assessment reviews, your salary will be raised annually to the next step in the salary scale, insofar as you have not yet reached the highest salary step.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1.5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts 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.

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 Aerospace Engineering

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world’s most highly ranked (and most comprehensive) research, education and innovation communities devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. More than 200 science staff, around 270 PhD candidates andclose to 3000 BSc and MSc students apply aerospace engineering disciplines to address the global societal challenges that threaten us today, climate change without doubt being the most important. Our focal subjects: sustainable aerospace, big data and artificial intelligence, bio-inspired engineering and smart instruments and systems. Working at the faculty means working together. With partners in other faculties, knowledge institutes, governmentsand industry, both aerospace and non-aerospace. Working in field labs and innovation hubs on our university campus and beyond. 

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.