Research Fellow (combustion modelling)

National University of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Department of Mechanical Engineering is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to advance combustion modelling and simulation for low-carbon energy systems.

The role focuses on computational modelling of advanced combustion systems using ammonia, hydrogen, partially cracked ammonia, and sustainable fuels, with opportunities for collaboration across CFD, kinetics, and energy conversion.

Qualifications

• PhD in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering with combustion/fluids focus.
• Strong publications record in high-impact journals.
• Proficiency in CFD tools and numerical modelling.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and perform CFD simulations of reacting and turbulent flows in combustion systems.
• Develop and implement combustion models including chemical kinetics and turbulence-chemistry interaction.
• Use and enhance tools such as OpenFOAM, Cantera, or other CFD platforms.
• Analyze simulation results to advance understanding of combustion phenomena.

Skills

CFD simulations

Hydrogen combustion

Numerical modelling

Safety analysis

Education

PhD in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering

Tools

OpenFOAM

Cantera

ANSYS Fluent

PeleC

Job description

Job Description

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS) is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to conduct research in combustion modelling and simulation of low-carbon energy systems.

The successful candidate will work on computational modelling of advanced combustion systems involving ammonia, hydrogen, partially cracked ammonia, sustainable fuels and other low-carbon fuels.

The position provides an opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary research environment involving combustion, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), chemical kinetics, energy conversion and decarbonisation technologies, with potential collaborations with leading academic or industrial partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and perform CFD simulations of reacting and turbulent flows in combustion systems.


• Develop and implement combustion models, including chemical kinetics, turbulence-chemistry interaction and pollutant formation models.


• Use and further develop computational tools such as OpenFOAM, Cantera, or other relevant CFD platforms.


• Perform analysis of simulation results and develop physical understanding of combustion phenomena.


• Contribute to technical reports, research publications, conference presentations and project deliverables.


• Contribute to research proposals and the development of new research directions where appropriate.


• Collaborate with academic and industrial partners on combustion and energy-related projects.

Contact Information

For further inquiries, please contact Prof Huangwei Zhang (@nus.edu.sg).

Qualifications and Requirements

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field with a focus on combustion, fluid dynamics, or safety modelling.


• Strong background in hydrogen combustion, numerical simulations (e.g., CFD), and safety analysis.


• Proficiency in relevant modelling tools and software (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, PeleC, or equivalent).


• Demonstrated strong track record of publications in high-impact journals.


• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.