Development of Isogeometric fluid-Structure interaction methods and algorithms for the simulation of floating flexible solar panels

Job description
We are excited to announce an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher as part of the NWO FlexFloat project. In this role, you will play a crucial part in advancing our research by enhancing the performance of our Isogeometric fluid dynamics code and coupling it with our Isogeometric structural code.

The FlexFloat project investigates the mechanical behavior of floating solar panels in order to improve predictive capabilities during design. This should further increase the technical and economical viability of floating solar panels. In this project you will collaborate with two PhD students. One student is working on novel measurement technics and will provide validation data. The other PhD student is working on extending novel Isogeometric shell formulations for the highly flexible solar panels to include for instance wrinkling.

Your role in the project will be to provide the correct wave loading on the solar panels by coupling the novel Isogeometric shell code with an existing high-fidelity Isogeometric fluid dynamics code using the preCICE framework.

We anticipate that the fluid solver will become a computational bottleneck, which would limit our ability to conduct large-scale design studies. Your secondary goal in the project would be to mitigate this by exploring several unused avenues for accelerating the code. MFEM offers robust support for GPU implementations and alternative assembly routines, both of which can significantly enhance computational efficiency. Additionally, the NURBS-based Isogeometric approach opens up unexplored algorithmic routes that could further optimize performance.

We invite you to contribute to this innovative research initiative, where your expertise will help shape the future of floating solar technology. If you are passionate about fluid dynamics, structural analysis, and cutting-edge computational methods, we would love to hear from you!

Job requirements

• You hold a PhD in a topic related to scientific computing or high performance computing.
• You have experience in developing computer code in C++ or CUDA.
• Preferably you have experience with preCICE or MFEM.
• You have a demonstrable interest in Isogeometric analysis, stabilized finite-elements or fluid-structure interaction.
• You have a proven academic track record, demonstrated by publications.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Mechanical Engineering
From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 1,5 years.
• A job of 36-40 hours per week.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Ido Akkerman, via I.Akkerman@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 5 January 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Ido Akkerman.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• A knowledge security check will be part of the selection procedure (for details page 45: national knowledge security guidelines).
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.