PhD Position in Forecasting of Flow Extreme Events with Scientific Machine Learning

PhD Position in Forecasting of Flow Extreme Events with Scientific Machine Learning

Job description

Climate change and the race to decarbonize our society is making extreme events in fluids more prevalent. These are rare events where the flow suddenly takes extreme states far from its normal state. Among these, one can cite extreme atmospheric events leading to intense draught, rogue waves capable of capsizing boats, or flashback events in hydrogen-powered clean combustors.

Currently, we cannot accurately forecast such extreme events due to the chaotic nature of the underlying turbulent flows and the complex multiscale nonlinear interactions at the origin of such extreme events.

In this project, you will develop machine learning-based reduced-order models which can accurately forecast these extreme events across a series of complex flows. This will entail simulating flows with extreme events, developing hybrid physics-based/machine learning modelling techniques and the embedding of such models within data assimilation frameworks to enable their self-correction.

You will join a diverse team of PhDs at the AI Fluids lab and be part of the European ERC-StG project CONTEXT. WIthin these groups, we aim to foster an inspiring and supportive environment, and therefore you will have the chance to collaborate with experienced researchers and other PhD candidates specializing in turbulent flows and artificial intelligence at the Aerodynamics Group of TU Delft. In addition, you will receive various trainings to support you in your career development.

Job requirements

We are looking for a motivated candidates who meets the following requirements:

• MSc degree in applied sciences, computer science, mechanical or aerospace engineering.
• Strong background in fluid dynamics (e.g. MSc thesis on a fluids-related topic), mathematics, machine learning and/or physics
• Interest in collaborating with a diverse multinational team
• Proficiency in the English language, both oral and written

Knowledge and experience in the following fields are also desirable but not necessary:

• machine learning
• numerical methods for fluid dynamics
• different programming languages
• high performance and parallel computing

TU Delft (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.

Conditions of employment

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 € 2901 per month in the first year to € 3707 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.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Anh Khoa Doan, via n.a.k.doan@tudelft.nl.