PhD Position Scientific Machine Learning for Extreme Fluid Dynamics

Climate change and the race to decarbonize our society is making extreme events in fluids more prevalent. These are rare events where the flow suddenly takes extreme states far from its normal state. Among these, one can cite extreme atmospheric events leading to intense draught, rogue waves capable of capsizing boats, or flashback events in hydrogen-powered clean combustors.

Currently, we cannot accurately predict such extreme events due to the chaotic nature of the underlying turbulent flows and the complex multiscale nonlinear interactions at the origin of such extreme events.

In this project, we will explore the use of cutting-edge scientific machine learning framework that blends deep learning with physics-based techniques to achieve the goals of (i) identifying precursors and mechanisms of extreme events, (ii) forecasting the flow evolution before and throughout the extreme events and (iii) controlling the flows to prevent extreme events.

The successful candidate will develop this new hybrid scientific machine learning/physic- based framework and assess it on engineering-relevant flows by coupling high fidelity simulations with the proposed framework.

The candidate will be part of the AI Fluids lab and work in collaboration with experienced researchers and other PhD candidates specializing in turbulent flows and artificial intelligence at the Aerodynamics Group of TU Delft.

The successful candidate meets the following requirements:

• MSc degree in applied sciences, computer science, mechanical or aerospace engineering.
• Strong background in fluid dynamics (e.g. MSc thesis on a fluids-related topic), mathematics and physics.
• Intrinsic motivation for scientific research and for pursuing a PhD.
• Interest in collaborating with a diverse multinational team.
• Proficiency in the English language, both oral and written. Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

Knowledge and experience in the following fields are highly appreciated:

• Machine learning.
• Turbulence.
• Numerical methods for fluid dynamics.
• Different programming languages.
• High performance and parallel computing.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

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.

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!

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world’s most highly ranked (and most comprehensive) research, education and innovation communities devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. More than 200 science staff, around 270 PhD candidates and close to 3000 BSc and MSc students apply aerospace engineering disciplines to address the global societal challenges that threaten us today, climate change without doubt being the most important. Our focal subjects: sustainable aerospace, big data and artificial intelligence, bio-inspired engineering and smart instruments and systems. Working at the faculty means working together. With partners in other faculties, knowledge institutes, governments and industry, both aerospace and non-aerospace. Working in field labs and innovation hubs on our university campus and beyond. 

Click here  to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 28 April 2024 via the application button and upload:

• A motivation letter (1 page max.).
• Detailed CV.
• BSc and MSc Transcripts.
• An extract of a scientific document you wrote in English (e.g. an article or your MSc thesis).
• Names and contacts information of at least two references (support letters can be attached but are not required).

Please note:

• For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Anh Khoa Doan, [email protected] .
• Screening of the applications will begin immediately, and suitable candidates will be invited for an interview.
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.