Job offer

European Commission; España; Presencial; EUR 25.000 - 35.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

A prestigious research position at the European Commission in Spain focused on aerospace engineering and plasma thruster simulations. Candidates will work on cutting-edge research, develop simulation codes, and be part of a dynamic team. The role offers a starting salary of 25,000€ and opportunities for international travel and research internships.

Servicios

Up to 4-year contract

Productivity bonuses

Opportunity to travel to international conferences

Research internship abroad

Flexible working environment

Formación

• Young MSc holder with 300 ECTS completed.
• Strong background in relevant disciplines.
• Outstanding academic record and good proficiency in English.

Responsabilidades

• Numerical simulation of ECR plasma thruster discharges.
• Development of Particle-in-Cell kinetic simulation codes.
• Analysis, publication, and presentation of results.

Conocimientos

Aerospace Engineering

Applied Mathematics

Scientific computing

Plasma Physics

Fluid Dynamics

Electromagnetism

Team-working

Communication

Critical thinking

Creative thinking

Educación

Master Degree or equivalent

Descripción del empleo

Organisation/Company Universidad Carlos III de Madrid Department Aerospace Engineering Research Field Engineering » Aerospace engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Spain Application Deadline 30 Jun 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Type of Contract Other Type of Contract Extra Information Predoctoral Contract Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Sep 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - EIC Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Position description and objectives:

• ALBATOR-D1: Numerical simulation of ECR plasma thruster discharges, focusing on the understanding of the driving physics and the optimization of their design and operation.
• ALBATOR-D2: Numerical simulation of plasma thruster plumes and their interaction with immersed bodies, applied to space debris removal with the ‘ion beam shepherd’ concept.

Both positions will involve the development of top-class Particle-in-Cell kinetic simulation codes, the usage of high-performance computing (HPC) hardware, and the analysis, publication, and presentation of results. The contract will be funded under the EIC ALBATOR project. Selected candidates will join the Plasma and Space Propulsion Team (EP2, ep2.uc3m.es) at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid under the supervision of professors E. Ahedo and M. Merino, and collaborate closely with other researchers.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Engineering » Aerospace engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Physics » Electromagnetism Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Mathematics » Applied mathematics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Young MSc holder (and a total of 300 ECTS completed among BSc + MSc)
• Strong background in the following disciplines: Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Scientific computing, Plasma Physics, Fluid Dynamics, Electromagnetism. Excellent candidates from other disciplines are also invited to apply. Previous design/laboratory experience is highly desirable.
• Outstanding academic record; critical & creative thinking.
• Team-working and communications skills; Previous international experience desirable
• Ability to deal independently and proactively with scientific and engineering challenges.
• Good proficiency in English (oral & written).

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Additional Information

What we offer:

• Up to 4-year contract; starting annual gross salary 25 k€ plus productivity bonuses.
• Become part of a young, dynamic, highly qualified, collaborative team.
• Opportunity to travel to international conferences to present research activities.
• Opportunity to carry out a research internship abroad.
• Flexible working environment and schedule.

Selection process

How to apply:
Interested candidates must send their applications to [e-mail] indicating in the email subject the reference “ALBATOR-D1-D2,” and attaching the following documents in pdf format:

• A motivation letter highlighting candidate’s skills, experience and research goals (max. 1 page).
• CV, including relevant education and work experience. Academic grade reports and % position in your class are valuable information for the evaluation.
• The contact information of up to two references (will be contacted during the hiring process)
• Sample of best works of the candidate (e.g. MSc thesis).

Additional comments

Application deadline is June 30, 2025, but the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found. Contracts will begin in September 2025, though an earlier/later start date can be arranged.

Applications from women and minorities are particularly encouraged.