ICHAruS is a MSCA Doctoral Network aimed at training 12 early-stage researchers to develop a set of innovative research activities in the field of active control of hydrogen combustion using electric and electromagnetic fields.

ICHAruS has been built to provide doctoral training in a collaborative partnership between academic and industry partners selected among the main European gas turbine and aeroengine manufacturers. The aim of this partnership is thus to understand the physical processes driving the interaction between hydrogen flames and electromagnetic fields at all flow scales so to permit actively assisted combustion and identify the key parameters that would allow for the design of an innovative, ultra-low NOx, silent and flashback-proof combustion devices for future gas turbines and aeroengines. The behavior of hydrogen flames under plasma discharge and electromagnetic conditioning offers the opportunity to strongly accelerate the path towards zero-carbon energy and transport sectors.

The project ICHAruS will recruit 12 Doctoral Candidates (DC) in eight prominent institutions forming the network, which are spread across five countries (Italy, France, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom). In addition, five Associate Partners (including gas turbine and aeroengine industries) will support training and secondments for the DCs.

The link to the European page of the project is as follows: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/177738

Consortium members:

• Università del Salento
• Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse
• Technische Universiteit Delft (TU Delft)
• Centre Européen de Recherche et de Formation Avancée en Calcul Scientifique
• Università degli Studi di Firenze
• Technische Universität Berlin
• German Aerospace Center (DLR)
• Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine

Associate Partners:

• University of Sydney
• Penn State University
• Safran Tech
• Baker Hughes
• University of Stuttgart

PhD project at TU Delft:

The PhD project at TU Delft will last 4 years, of which the first 3 are funded by the Doctoral Network and the 4th by TU Delft, and will be based at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Department of Flow Physics and Technology, in the Chair of Sustainable Aircraft Propulsion of the Flight Performance and Propulsion (FPP) section.

This project has two objectives: (i) Development of multi-mode combustion model that can account for the hydrogen flame physics under electromagnetic forces. A baseline combustion code based on presumed-FDF approach will be improved to incorporate this multi-physics. First the effects on the chemical kinetic, will be implemented. Then, the LES model will be further improved to account for SGS effects of electromagnetic conditioning on hydrogen flames and validated against experimental data from the partners. The (ii) second objective is the understanding of the combustion-electromagnetic interaction in practical configurations. Different practical configurations will be proposed and simulated by varying the electromagnetic conditions, with the purpose of obtaining a detailed assessment of the effects on flame stabilization and emissions. The LES dataset will be further explored to look at relevant quantities not accessible by experiments, so to provide further indications on the physics of turbulent hydrogen flames.

Expected Results:

A novel and validated flamelet-based model that includes multi-mode combustion and electromagnetic effects.

Improved understanding of the stabilization mechanism and emissions of turbulent hydrogen flames subject to electromagnetic effects.

Candidates should possess a Master’s degree in a relevant academic field (Mechanical, Energy or Chemical Engineering, Physics, or closely related) or a degree that allows them to embark in a PhD; must have great interest and be willing to work in the field of multi-physics combustion, with a focus on zero-carbon fuels, gas-turbine technologies, and related disciplines, including physics or electrical engineering. In addition the candidate should show:

• Excellent analytical skills and outstanding track record in the disciplines related to the research subject.
• An aptitude for coding and software development. Preferably previous experience with one or more of the following: Matlab, Python, C++, Fortran.
• An aptitude for team-work and effective communication in an international environment.

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.

In addition, applicants must comply with all the following rules:

• At the date of recruitment, applicants must be in possession of their Master’s degree or equivalent/postgraduate degree which would formally entitle to embark on a doctorate.
• At the date of recruitment, applicants must fulfill the transnational mobility rule: applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date – unless as part of a compulsory national service or a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention.
• At the date of deadline, applicants must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research career (career breaks excluded) and not yet been awarded a doctoral degree. Career breaks refer to periods of time where the candidate was not active in research, regardless of his/her employment status (sick leave, maternity leave etc.). Short stays such as holidays and/or compulsory national service are not taken into account.

Applicants must be available, full-time, to start the program in April/June 2024

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

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.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

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

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

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 and close 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, governments and 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.