CENTRALE LYON - Post-doctoral Characterization of the helicopter upper-deck wake and its influe[...]

Ecole Centrale de Lyon; France; Sur place; EUR 35 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A major engineering research institution in France is seeking a Postdoc Researcher to lead a project in Computational Fluid Dynamics, focusing on the helicopter tail-shake phenomenon. The successful candidate will utilize advanced simulation techniques and collaborate with industry partners. Candidates should have a PhD in relevant fields and strong programming and analysis skills. This full-time position offers a gross salary of €34,416 annually.

Prestations

Maternity leave

Paternity leave

Family events leave

Family bonus

Transport bonus

Qualifications

• Develop and analyze simulations using ProLB.
• Collaborate with academic and industrial partners.
• Conduct high-fidelity LB numerical simulations.

Responsabilités

• Characterize the helicopter upper-deck wake and its influence on tail-shake phenomenon.
• Process and analyze simulation data.
• Present findings at scientific conferences.

Connaissances

Prior experience in aero-acoustic

Programming skills

Numerical methods

Physical analysis of fluid dynamics

Scientific report writing

Presentation skills

Formation

PhD in Engineering, Physics, Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, or Applied Mathematics

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Ecole Centrale de Lyon Research Field Engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Country France Application Deadline 1 Dec 2025 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Lattice Boltzmann (LB) method is gaining strong interest in Computational Fluid Dynamics. While traditional methods rely on a discretization of the Navier-Stokes equations at a macroscopic level, the LB method considers the fluid at a kinetic level. Capturing the dynamics of collections of fluid particles distributed over a lattice is here preferred to solving non-linear PDEs. Processing a simulation in this way has some advantages. The low numerical dissipation allows for an accurate simulation of time-dependent flows, enabling sensitive applications such as aeroacoustics. Furthermore, the high scalability on massively parallel computers can lead to advantageous turn‑around times for industrial applications.

Sketch and photography from “Desvigne D, Bichon V. Tail‑shake risks assessment & mitigation by wind‑tunnel tests on air‑intake installation on a heavy‑weight H/C configuration. The Aeronautical Journal. 2023;127(1313):1192-1218. doi:10.1017/aer.2022.108”

The Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics (LMFA, CNRS, Ecole Centrale de Lyon) is seeking a highly qualified candidate for a post‑doctoral research fellowship regarding the characterization of the helicopter upper‑deck wake and its influence on the tail‑shake phenomenon. The numerical simulations will be carried out using ProLB [3], an LB method software developed at LMFA in collaboration with other academic and industrial partners, including Renault, Safran and Airbus.

Tail‑shake can be described as the aerodynamic forcing of structural vibrations, often linked to the presence of complex flow features such as wakes and flow separation and their interaction, whose numerical representation can be challenging for legacy solvers. A detailed experimental characterization of the phenomenon is presented in reference [1]. This project will explore the underlying physics leading to tail‑shake through high‑fidelity LB numerical simulations, providing greater detail on the phenomenon. The successful candidate will be in charge of setting up, running and analyzing the simulations using ProLB, contrasting results to available experimental data.

This research activity is part of a 3‑years‑long major project co‑funded by the DGAC (French Civil Aviation) and directed by Airbus. The successful candidate will therefore develop his research activity collaboratively with the other academic and industrial partners of the project.

Scientific references:

[1] Desvigne D, Bichon V. Tail‑shake risks assessment & mitigation by wind‑tunnel tests on air‑intake installation on a heavy‑weight H/C configuration. The Aeronautical Journal. 2023;127(1313):1192-1218. doi:10.1017/aer.2022.108

Experience: Prior Experience in aero‑acoustic, turbo‑machinery or Lattice Boltzmann method would be an advantage.

Knowledge required: Contributions in the area of scientific computing and Computational Fluid Dynamics.

Operational skills: Physical analysis of fluid dynamics, advanced skills in programming and numerical methods, writing scientific reports and articles, presenting at scientific conferences.

Behavioural skills: Independence, ability to work in a team and adapt to the needs of colleagues, creativity.

Specific Requirements

PhD in Engineering, Physics, Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, or Applied Mathematics

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Languages FRENCH Level Good

Research Field Engineering Computer science Mathematics Physics Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

EC Lyon offers a 12‑months full‑time work contract, indicatively starting on early 2026. The position will be based in Ecully (France). There is a probation period of two (2) months and there are 35 working hours per week.

The remuneration will consist of a gross annual salary 34416 EUR salary (gross amount for the employee before tax). Of this amount, the estimated net salary* to be perceived by the Researcher is ~ 2305 EUR/month. However, the definite amount to be received by the Researcher is subject to national tax legislation.

*Net salary can fluctuate in accordance with an individual’s personal circumstances (marital status, age, disability, family and dependents, etc). The above indicative net salary offers an approximation of what a single person could expect to receive in the bank account after taxes.

Benefits include:

• Maternity leave
• Paternity leave
• Family events leave (marriage, death, etc.)
• A family bonus is granted from the birth of the first child.
• A transport bonus is granted if the Researcher has a monthly public transport pass.

Selection process

The recruitment process takes place in two stages, supervised by a recruitment committee, in accordance with Centrale Lyon's OTMR policy.

• Study of the written application: CV with a cover letter, a summary of recent work and interests, one or two letters of reference
• Selection interview: in person or by videoconference