Are you inspired by combining physics-based models with machine learning techniques?  
Are you fascinated by fundamental flow physics?  
Are you passionate about programming and high-performance computing?  
Are you eager to collaborate with industrial partners?  

We are looking for two motivated PhD candidates that, combining model-based (physics) and data-driven (machine-learning) approaches, will develop innovative, highly accurate and highly efficient solvers for rarefied gas flows.

Computational fluid dynamics is an essential enabler for science and for many outstanding societal challenges. Many key advanced and emerging technologies require unprecedented control of heat and mass transfer in flows, from continuum to highly-rarefied conditions, often in presence of electromagnetic fields, chemical reactions, and complex interactions with boundaries. Due to the non-equilibrium nature of rarefied flows and the pronounced influence of molecular effects, these transport processes are highly complex and occur in non-standard circumstances.

Contemporary understanding is currently too incomplete to support the development of emerging technologies. Computational modeling is extremely demanding and, in most situations, well beyond foreseeable computing capabilities.

In this project you will break ground on the way rarefied flows are modeled for emerging technologies, by developing innovative approaches that blend data-driven (machine learning) and model-driven (physics-based) methodologies. In this way, you will contribute incorporating the accuracy of computationally expensive atomistic models into macroscopic approaches, while simultaneously severely cutting back the computational cost.

You will work in a consortium consisting of university groups with complementary skills in fluid dynamics and statistical physics (Fluids and Flows, TU/e) and machine-learning techniques (AMLab, UvA), and commercial partners with a need for these new methodologies. ASML, leader in high-resolution lithography solutions, Flow Matters, specialized in consultancy/licensing of rarefied flow solutions, and Carbyon, developing direct-air-capturing systems, contribute with expertise, data and experiments and will be the prime validators and first users of the novel solutions.

The two PhD projects will specifically focus on:

• Development of accelerated Direct Simulation Monte-Carlo (DSMC) algorithms by learning from data
• Development of fast Particle-in-Cell (PiC) algorithms combining data-driven approaches

• We are looking for enthusiastic and highly motivated PhD-students with an excellent background in fluid dynamics, computational physics and high-performance computing.
• A master's degree (or an equivalent university degree) in (applied) physics, mechanical engineering or related subjects.
• A research oriented attitude. 
• Knowledge of computational fluid dynamics methods such as DSMC, LBM or PiC and parallel programming are an asset.
• Ability to work in a team and interested in collaborating with the industrial partners. 
• Fluent in spoken and written English.  

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the possibility to present your work at international conferences. 
• A full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. 
• To develop your teaching skills, you will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks. 
• To support you during your PhD and to prepare you for the rest of your career, you will make a Training and Supervision plan and you will have free access to a personal development program for PhD students (learning process).
• A gross monthly salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities. 
• Additionally, an annual holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, plus a year-end allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary. 
• Should you come from abroad and comply with certain conditions, you can make use of the so-called '30% facility', which permits you not to pay tax on 30% of your salary.  
• A broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes.  
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities. 

More information  
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?  
Please contact the hiring manager prof. F. (Federico) Toschi, f.toschi@tue.nl, Department of Applied Physics, group Fluids and Flows https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/fluids-and-flows/.

For information about terms of employment, click here. You can also contact  HR Services Flux, HRServices.Flux@tue.nl.

Please visit www.tue.nl/jobs to find out more about working at TU/e! 

Application 
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the 'apply now'-button on this page.  
The application should include a: 

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position. 
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.
• Brief description of your MSc thesis. 

We do not respond to applications that are sent to us in a different way. 

Please keep in mind you can upload only 5 documents up to 2 MB each. If necessary, please combine files. 

We look forward to your application and will screen it as soon as we have received it. Screening will continue until the position has been filled.