PhD Position Machine-Learning Methods for Scale-Resolving Simulations of Turbulent Flows

PhD Position in Machine-Learning Methods for Scale-Resolving Simulations of Turbulent Flows

Job description

The exponential increase of computational power over the last decade has enabled scale-resolving simulations (SRS) of turbulent flows at an unprecedented resolution. In combination with high-performance computing (HPC), parallel computational fluid dynamic simulations can currently resolve spatial and temporal scales of industrially-relevant turbulent flows within days or weeks. However, typical design cycles in industry still make extensive use of low-fidelity simulations, which can provide fast but inaccurate solutions depending on the flow complexity.

To close this gap, this PhD position will explore machine-learning (ML) methods to significantly reduce the turnaround time of SRS, thus enabling their use for industrial design processes. By combining state-of-the-art numerical methods and data-driven modelling techniques, the PhD candidate will investigate novel frameworks to accelerate SRS in HPC environments.

The PhD candidate will work at the Ship Hydrodynamics section of the Department of Maritime and Transport Technology (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering). This environment facilitates the exchange of research knowledge with colleagues also working in CFD and ML, both in applied and fundamental areas. The candidate will develop transferable skills such as HPC software development, extensive physical understanding of turbulent flows, and experience in modern ML architectures such as neural operators and transformers.

The expected start date is February 2026, and the PhD contract duration is 4 years.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Bernat Font at b.font@tudelft.nl.

Job requirements

• MSc in Mechanical, Maritime, or Aeronautical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related discipline.
• Proven track record in numerical methods and computational fluid dynamics.
• Proven track record in machine-learning methods for computational physics.
• Proven programming skills in (preferably) Fortran or Julia, or C/C++ and Python. Where applicable, a link to your open source repositories is recommended.

Other valuable skills include:

• Experience in high-performance computing using MPI.
• Experience in GPU programming using OpenACC, CUDA, CUDA-Fortran, Julia, or related tools.
• Experience in CFD meshing software.

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.

Faculty Mechanical Engineering

From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focuses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems. ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

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 €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

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.