PhD: State-to-State Plasma-Driven Combustion Solvers

Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Brussel Hoofdstad; Hybrid; EUR 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Homeworking options

Telework allowance 50 EUR/month

Internet fee 20 EUR/month

35 days of leave

Nursery near campus

Hospitalisation insurance

Reimbursement of commute by public or/

Benefits@Work discounts

Job summary

Vrije Universiteit Brussel invites applications for a full-time PhD position focused on the development of state-to-state plasma-assisted combustion solvers. The project aims to create a multi-physics simulation framework combining detailed kinetics, reduced-order modeling, and machine learning to enable predictive CFD tools for low-emission combustion.

The PhD scholarship is 12 months extendable up to 48 months, with a starting date of 1 February 2027.

Qualifications

• Master of Science in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Computational Science or related field.
• Strong background in numerical methods and scientific computing.
• Excellent programming skills (Python, Fortran and/or C++).
• Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Ability to work independently and in an international research team.
• EEA/non-EEA residence conditions for VUB permit must be met.

Responsibilities

• Develop reduced-order models for large state-to-state kinetic mechanisms while preserving key plasma–chemistry interactions.
• Contribute to the development of advanced plasma-assisted combustion solvers integrated into CFD environments.
• Validate models against experimental benchmark datasets from international partners.
• Collaborate within the FLOW BRITE research group and with project partners to advance multi-physics simulation tools.

Skills

Numerical methods

Scientific computing

Programming (Python, Fortran, C++)

English fluency

Education

Master of Science in Engineering/Applied Mathematics/Physics/Computational Science (or related)

Tools

Python

Fortran

C++

Job description

Vrije Universiteit Brussel invites applications for a full-time PhD position focused on the development of state-to-state plasma-assisted combustion solvers. The project aims to create a multi-physics simulation framework combining detailed kinetics, reduced-order modeling, and machine learning to enable predictive CFD tools for low-emission combustion.

The PhD scholarship is 12 months extendable up to 48 months, with a starting date of 1 February 2027.