PhD student – HyNOISE Doctoral Candidate (DC4): Auto- and forced ignition in swirled stabilized flow configurations

Polytechnic University of Bari; Italia; Sur place; EUR 28 000 - 36 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Mobility allowance

International conferences

Structured training program

Résumé du poste

Czestochowa University of Technology hosts a 36‑month MSCA Doctoral Network project (HyNOISE) focused on prediction and control of hydrogen flame noise. The PhD candidate will employ advanced LES methods, neural network modelling, and virtual chemistry frameworks to study ignition dynamics and flame stability within complex combustion configurations.

The position offers international secondments, collaboration with European gas turbine partners, and a structured training program, with a

Qualifications

• MSc degree or equivalent qualification in mechanical/aerospace engineering or physics.
• MSc in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics or similar.
• Solid knowledge of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and reactive flows with CFD modelling and postprocessing tools.
• Author/co-author of at least one scientific paper.
• Ability to work in a diverse interdisciplinary/multicultural environment and in a team.
• Excellent communication skills in English; able to travel for secondments/events.

Responsabilités

• Implement virtual chemistry framework/neural network solved chemistry for combustion modelling.
• Perform LES modelling of ignition configurations and hydrogen flame studies.
• Extend capabilities of in-house software; enhance tooling for simulations.
• Collaborate with international partners during secondments (CNRS, TU Berlin) and in network activities.

Connaissances

MSc degree

CFD knowledge

English proficiency

Linux/Fortran/Python

Teamwork

Travel willingness

Parallel computing

Formation

Master degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master degree in Aerospace Engineering

Master degree in Physics

Outils

Linux

Fortran

Python

High-performance computing

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Polytechnic University of Bari Research Field Engineering » Aerospace engineering Engineering » Mechanical engineering Engineering » Simulation engineering Physics » Applied physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 31 Dec 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Rome) Country Italy Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

About HyNOISE

HyNOISE is a Doctoral Network aimed to train doctoral candidates able to face current and future challenges in the prediction and control of direct and indirect noise generated by hydrogen flames. Four specific research objectives will be pursued: 1) Unveil the dynamics and sound pressure level generated during unsteady ignition and flashback process 2) Investigate the direct broadband sound generated due to the coupling between unsteady flame dynamics and flame-flame interactions, hydrodynamic and thermo- diffusive instabilities, and turbulence. 3) Understand physical mechanisms leading to the onset of thermoacoustic instabilities coupled with different modes at either with a specific focus on high frequencies 4) Study the contribution of convective waves to combustion noise and thermoacoustic instabilities. Multiple hydrogen-air archetypes typical of air-breathing hydrogen combustion systems in both single and annular multi-injector configurations will be investigated. In a collaborative partnership between academic and industry partners who are major European gas turbine manufacturers, HyNOISE bring relevant expertise together and to pursue solutions for hydrogen through integration and combination of unique and advanced theoretical, high-fidelity modelling and experimental expertise. This will lead to the development of new models and tools able to correctly predict hydrogen flame dynamics and its resulting pressure field, and, on this basis, developing control and mitigation methods to overcome current limitations in hydrogen combustion systems and design innovative, quiet, and stable combustion devices. The technologies developed will stimulate the green transition in the power generation and transport sectors, thus contributing to the achievement of the EU's challenging decarbonization goals.

About the host organization

CUT is the largest state technical university in the region funded in the 40's last century. It is also the only one having full academic rights, i.e., it has the right to confer the title of doctor and university professor (habilitated doctor). During its scientific and educational activities, it has become an inherent part of Poland’s history and tradition, of Czestochowa region and the city itself. In nationwide rankings of the state institutions of higher education, we are among the top universities in Poland of a similar profile.

CUT has a reputation for being a modern and well-equipped school which offers a wide range of courses and a high level of education. The excellent quality of our teaching and research and the unrivalled academic knowledge and experience of our academic staff make studying at CUT a stimulating and invaluable experience. The University also prides itself on having good student infrastructure, a wide range of high-standard laboratories and lecture rooms to support research and teaching as well as three halls of residence, its own publisher and a modern main library and faculty libraries.

Individual Research Project (IRP)

The research will employ advanced LES method, combined with the Eulerian stochastic field combustion model supported by virtual chemistry framework/neural network solved chemistry, to model ignition dynamics and flame stability in the longitudinal chambers of INPT and CNRS. The primary objectives of the project are the following: (i) to achieve a deeper understanding of the role of multi-scale mixing processes between large and small turbulent scales in strongly unsteady phenomena, such as flame initiation (ignition), flame propagation/stabilization phases, or flame extinction; (ii) to identify processes accompanying ignition, such as pressure/acoustic waves, influencing the flame development; (iii) to develop and apply an efficient active flow control methodology to enhance/suppress interactions between turbulent flow and the flame. The flow control will rely on the application of excitation to oxidizer and/or fuel mass flow streams at specific frequencies and amplitudes. Attention will be devoted to analysing and generating flow conditions that facilitate spark or auto-ignition, after which the flame stabilizes as lifted. The distance between the burner rim and the flame base creates a separation layer, preventing the burner from thermal stresses or hydrogen corrosion. However, flame lifting increases the risk of flame blowout, especially when combustion operates with lean mixtures. To mitigate this, the flow control methodology will be developed as part of the project, specifically aimed at minimizing this risk.

• Implementation and validation of virtual chemistry framework/neural network solved chemistry for combustion modelling.
• LES modelling of HYLON/SICCA ignition configurations.
• Sensitivity analysis of ignition probability and flame position/shape as a function of excitation parameters.

• Extended capabilities of in-house software.
• Better knowledge on mixing processes and associated phenomena of flame initiation/stabilization or extinction, which are critical for the development of novel, efficient, and clean fuel technologies.
• An advanced active flow control methodology for an efficient tuning of mutual interactions between the flow/flame scales. Parametric ignition probability maps.

Secondments

• CNRS/EM2C Laboratory (France, ca. 3 months): experiments on SICCA
• Technical University of Berlin (Germany, ca. 2 months): active/passive control strategies on hydrogen flames

The IRP will have a strong link to other IRPs from different DCs for:

• Work on hydrogen flames control strategies
• Work on numerical/experimental studies
• Provision of input and data

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

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

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

Research Field Physics » Applied physics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• MSc degreeor an equivalent qualificationrecognized in Poland, without the need for nostrification
• MScdegreeor an equivalent qualificationin the field of mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics or similar
• Solid knowledge on fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and reactive flows including numerical analysis focusing on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) applications with related modelling and postprocessing tools
• Author/co-author of at least one scientific paper related to above fields
• Ability to work efficiently and self-reliantly in a diverse inter-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment
• Ability to work in a team as well as independently
• Ability to solve complex problems with adherence of strict deadlines
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) in English to derive the full benefit from the network training
• As secondments and events are foreseen, applicants must be ready to travel

• Knowledge on Linux operating systems, Fortran and Python programming
• Knowledge on parallel programming and high-performance computing on CPU and/or GPU clusters

Specific Requirements

• Applicants can be of any nationality.
• Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master’s degree, but cannot receive an employment contract before having obtained the master degree.
• Candidates may apply to multiple positions offered within HyNOISE, but should carefully choose the ones that they apply for.

In addition:

Horizon Europe MSCA Mobility Rule: Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organization (Poland) for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date - unless as part of a compulsory national service or a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention.

Horizon Europe MSCA Eligibility Criteria: Doctoral Candidates (DC) must, at the date of recruitment by the host organization, have not been awarded a doctoral degree.

Applicants who do not fulfill the Mobility Rule and the Eligibility Criteria CANNOT be considered for the research position.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Additional Information

• You will be working within our international group of researchers with experience in a broad range of sciences.
• You will get in contact with the other members of this international consortium.
• You will benefit from the well-structured training program offered by the host institution and the HyNOISE consortium to develop skills and thorough understanding of space transportation systems and their environmental impact.
• You will be employed by the host organization for 36 months.
• You will participate in international conferences and secondments to other organizations within the HyNOISE network and in outreach activities targeted at a wide audience.
• A competitive salary according to MSCA regulations (see page 118ff.), including a living allowance, a mobility allowance and, if eligible, a family allowance. The stated allowances represent the gross funding amounts. Employer contributions to social security, health insurance, and other statutory costs will be deducted in accordance with the applicable national regulations.

For the selection procedure, the HyNOISE consortium will appoint a Recruitment Committee (RC) for each position. The selection will be carried out in two consecutive stages. In the primary selection, the RC evaluates all submitted application documents. Eligible candidates of sufficient quality will be shortlisted. In the final selection, short-listed applicants are invited to interviews, held either in person at the host institution or via video-conference, and to complete a position-specific task. Both interviews and tasks are evaluated against predefined criteria, leading to a ranked list of candidates. Final decisions are made by consensus within the RC. Applicants will be informed about rejection or admission to the interview stage by the end of January 2026. The employment and relocation phase will then start immediately, allowing sufficient time for contracting, visa applications, and relocation before the official start of the DC projects by October 2027.

Additional comments

Application

Interested candidates are invited to submit one single PDF containing the following documents in this exact order:

• An evidence-based CV that reflects a representative array of achievements and qualifications appropriate to the position you are applying for
• Reference letters or, at minimum, the contact details of persons that may be contacted for reference
• Educational and professional certificates (university degree(s) with marks, internships, workshops, languages, etc.)

The email subject must be "Application for DC4 position".

The email size incl. attachments must not exceed 30 MB in total.

Candidates whose application is not compliant with the requirements above will not be considered.

Expected starting date: January - October 2027

Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.

More information and other vacant positions can be found at:

Reference to data protection: The personal data you submit will be processed at POLIBA in accordance with its Data Protection Declaration ( https://www.poliba.it/en/protezione-dei-dati-personali ). In addition, your personal data will be shared with the consortium partners (see https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101311721 ) for the purpose of evaluating your application and carrying out the joint selection procedure. The project partners are joint responsible for the processing of personal data.

We in the HyNOISE consortium value diversity and we commit to equal treatment of all applicants irrespective of gender, sexuality, health status as well as social, cultural or religious background.

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Czestochowa University of Technology/Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Country Poland State/Province Poland City Czestochowa Postal Code 42-201 Street Armii Krajowej 21 Geofield