A 2-years postdoctoral associate position has just become available at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering of TU Delft, department of Flow Physics and Technology (FPT), Chair of Sustainable Aircraft Propulsion (SAP), within the context of the project OTHERWISE (Control of Hydrogen and Enriched-hydrogen Reacting flows with Water injection and Intensive Strain for ultra-low Emissions), funded by the European Research Council.

We are racing against time to find a clean, yet abundant, energy source able to arrest global warming. Hydrogen has all the characteristics to address this challenge: it can be produced cleanly from water; it is incredibly energetic; and more importantly, it is carbon-free. However, hydrogen’s strong reactivity and diffusivity make the control of its flame in energy-generation devices extremely challenging. Moreover, toxic nitric oxides (NOx), a major concern for air quality, are still abundantly produced in a hydrogen flame. Enabling the use of hydrogen requires thus solutions where the flame is stable and with ultra-low NOx at the same time, and at any power setting.

The present research will use for the first time a combination of intensive strain and water injection to suppress NOx and keep the flame stable at the same time. Resent research of the SAP group has indicated that intensive strain improves the reactivity of the hydrogen flame and simultaneously pushes the NOx down significantly. Water injection further pushes down the NOx, but it commonly causes flame extinctions and inefficiencies. Its combination with hydrogen and intensive strain, by enhancing the flame, offers a way of surpassing these limitations, and further allows to operate the flame at richer conditions, so preventing common instabilities from occurring in lean premixed combustion.

The objective of this research is to push the hydrogen flame into a high-strain regime characterised by stable flame and ultra-low NOx, and find the extreme limits and physical knowledge allowing full control of the reacting flow at the highly turbulent conditions relevant for gas turbines. The flame dynamics in this research will be in particular characterised by using high-fidelity direct numerical simulations (DNS) and theoretical analyses. This position will further involve a strong interaction with the other PhD researchers at the SAP group in order to leverage DNS data for subgrid-scale modelling in large-eddy simulations. The successful candidate is expected to begin on the 1st of May 2023.

We are seeking for an excellent candidate who holds a PhD degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or related subjects (math, physics) from a renowned university. You must demonstrate:

• Excellent analytical skills and an outstanding track record in combustion and its modelling.
• Experience in coding in one or more of the following languages: C++, Fortran, Matlab, Pyhton, shell script.
• Experience in management of large clusters with Unix-based operative systems
• An aptitude for team-work and effective communication in an international environment.
• Fluency in English.

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. 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 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.