Integrated steam production design and control using physics-based non-linear MPC as system integrator

21 Aug 2026
Job Information

Organisation/Company

KU LEUVEN

Research Field

Technology » Energy technology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Application Deadline

15 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (UTC)

Country

Belgium

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Offer Starting Date

1 Nov 2026

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Reference Number

BAP-2026-543

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

This PhD position is framed in the FLEX-SMR project (Integration of Small Modular Reactors in the Chemical Industry), funded by the Belgian Energy Transition Fund. FLEX-SMR is a collaboration between three research teams of KU Leuven (focusing respectively on the nuclear reactors, the thermal systems and the energy market) and two companies:  The Binding Energy and INEOS-INOVYN. FLEX-SMR will develop cost-effective, integrated solutions to provide flexible electricity and steam supply for chemical production sites. The project will advance control strategies and optimize the design of the nuclear-based steam plant and its supporting systems to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective steam production.The PhD position in The SySi Team will focus on the integrated steam system design and control in a multi-energy vector context, using physics-based non-linear Model Predictive Control (MPC). To this end, the current in-house physics-based MPC workflow (tailored to the built environment) needs to be transferred to steam processes in the chemical industry. This MPC is then incorporated in a co-design framework (integrated optimal control and sizing) for the steam system to determine optimal component sizes, while exploiting flexibility, intrinsically available in the chemical processes and/or utility system, or added through storage technologies. The PhD student will work in close interaction with the two PhD students of the other KU Leuven teams and a post-doctoral researcher, assisted by the innovation manager Dr. Glenn Reynders and supervised by Prof. Lieve Helsen, in collaboration with The Binding Energy and INEOS-INOVYN.
We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, dynamic, mobile and communicative researcher with a Master of Science degree in Engineering (preferably mechanical, energy, chemical or computer science). The candidate should have a strong background and interest in energy, and especially in thermal energy systems (for steam production), (optimal) control (MPC), physics-based modelling and optimization. Numerical optimization, scientific computing (in C/C++) and general coding (python, Java) are important parts of this PhD track. The candidate starts from insights in the system and physics-based modelling. Data-driven approaches are not the focus of this project. The candidate is expected to:

• Be proficient in English (spoken and written) to allow effective communication
• Be able to work independently, accurately and methodically
• Be a team player, using the multidisciplinary network offered
• Be an active player in the broader team, attending brainstorm sessions, sharing approaches, insights and vision
• Present research findings at national and international conferences
• Publish research findings in international top-journals
• Contribute to the FLEX-SMR project as one of the main researchers for the novel developments, but also for the related communication, dissemination and valorisation tasks
• Knowledge of C/C++ is a prerequisite
• Knowledge of Modelica, Python, and Java is an asset
• Experience with CasADi is an asset
• Have an advanced knowledge of computing systems and infrastructure
• Attend international project meetings and write project reports
• Assist in teaching activities through project work and exercise sessions
• Supervise Master theses

This PhD researcher will be fully funded through the FLEX-SMR project for three years. Funding for a fourth year will be guaranteed such that the PhD can be finalised. The research is to be performed within The SySi Team in close collaboration with the other two PhD students and the post-doctoral researcher funded by the same project, the two companies involved in the FLEX-SMR project, The SySi Team members working on related topics, and in the framework of EnergyVille (http://www.energyville.be/en ). The location for this position will be Leuven (Department of Mechanical Engineering).The successful candidate will receive:

• Doctoral scholarship, renewable up to four years, and a PhD degree in Engineering if successful
• A highly specialized doctoral training, making the candidate expert in integrated steam production design and control
• An extensive network of universities, companies and associations to work with
• Multiple benefits (health insurance, access to university infrastructure and sports facilities, etc.) 
• A very competitive salary, including social security
• The opportunity to participate in research collaborations and international conferences
• A very inspiring research climate where each team member can learn, reflect, fail, orientate, engage, feel connected, dive deep, dream, be challenged, grow, innovate, be proud, celebrate novel results and awards in interaction with each other, but always starting from own strengths
• The city of Leuven, just 20 km east of Brussels, the heart of Europe, offers a stimulating, young and multicultural working environment

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Lieve Helsen, mail: [email protected] or Mr. Glenn Reynders, mail: [email protected] .

Where to apply

Website

https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/60739034?hl=en

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Technology » Energy technology

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Benefits

This PhD researcher will be fully funded through the FLEX-SMR project for three years. Funding for a fourth year will be guaranteed such that the PhD can be finalised. The research is to be performed within The SySi Team in close collaboration with the other two PhD students and the post-doctoral researcher funded by the same project, the two companies involved in the FLEX-SMR project, The SySi Team members working on related topics, and in the framework of EnergyVille (http://www.energyville.be/en ). The location for this position will be Leuven (Department of Mechanical Engineering).The successful candidate will receive:

• Doctoral scholarship, renewable up to four years, and a PhD degree in Engineering if successful
• A highly specialized doctoral training, making the candidate expert in integrated steam production design and control
• An extensive network of universities, companies and associations to work with
• Multiple benefits (health insurance, access to university infrastructure and sports facilities, etc.) 
• A very competitive salary, including social security
• The opportunity to participate in research collaborations and international conferences
• A very inspiring research climate where each team member can learn, reflect, fail, orientate, engage, feel connected, dive deep, dream, be challenged, grow, innovate, be proud, celebrate novel results and awards in interaction with each other, but always starting from own strengths
• The city of Leuven, just 20 km east of Brussels, the heart of Europe, offers a stimulating, young and multicultural working environment

Eligibility criteria

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, dynamic, mobile and communicative researcher with a Master of Science degree in Engineering (preferably mechanical, energy, chemical or computer science). The candidate should have a strong background and interest in energy, and especially in thermal energy systems (for steam production), (optimal) control (MPC), physics-based modelling and optimization. Numerical optimization, scientific computing (in C/C++) and general coding (python, Java) are important parts of this PhD track. The candidate starts from insights in the system and physics-based modelling. Data-driven approaches are not the focus of this project. The candidate is expected to:

• Be proficient in English (spoken and written) to allow effective communication
• Be able to work independently, accurately and methodically
• Be a team player, using the multidisciplinary network offered
• Be an active player in the broader team, attending brainstorm sessions, sharing approaches, insights and vision
• Present research findings at national and international conferences
• Publish research findings in international top-journals
• Contribute to the FLEX-SMR project as one of the main researchers for the novel developments, but also for the related communication, dissemination and valorisation tasks
• Knowledge of C/C++ is a prerequisite
• Knowledge of Modelica, Python, and Java is an asset
• Experience with CasADi is an asset
• Have an advanced knowledge of computing systems and infrastructure
• Attend international project meetings and write project reports
• Assist in teaching activities through project work and exercise sessions
• Supervise Master theses

Selection process

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Lieve Helsen, mail: [email protected] or Mr. Glenn Reynders, mail: [email protected] .

Website for additional job details

https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/60739034?hl=en

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

KU LEUVEN

Country

Belgium

City

Leuven

Contact

City

Leuven

STATUS: EXPIRED

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