Doctoral student in Energy Sciences with focus on heat transfer modeling in reacting flow - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace

The position is located at the Division of Heat Transfer at the Department of Energy Sciences. At the division, we conduct research and education on the energy generation, conversion, and utilization in different thermo-mechanical systems where the study of heat transfer, fluid mechanics as well as structural dynamics plays a central role. In particular, novel materials and manufacturing techniques as well as improved understanding of turbulent flows, reactive flows and multiphase flows is the key to improved heat transfer mechanisms and more efficient use of energy. Approximately 30 colleagues work at the division, including 20 PhD. On the international level we collaborate with universities and institutes in Europe, Asia, and North America. Our premises are in the newly renovated M-building on LTH's campus in Lund. 

More information about the Division of Heat Transfer(energy.lth.se) 

Subject description

The newly established Vinnova competence center AdTherM (Advanced Computing for Sustainable Thermal Management in Industry) targets analyses of thermal processes in industrial applications, including thermo- and electrochemical energy conversion activities are hiring 9 PhD students, 4 at Lund University, 3 at Luleå Technical University, and 2 at KTH – Royal Institute of Technology.

AdTherM's strategy is to bring together a spectrum of industrial technologies with key roles in the sustainability value chain, and to interdisciplinary bridge the gap between basic research and applications. The jointly identified key challenges will be studied by combining experiments, primarily in industry, with model development and simulation studies, primarily in academia. Validation will establish the modelling accuracy and then the models will be applied to industrially relevant problems to solve or analyse these. Most challenges for the industry in this area are generic and based on the same physical mechanisms. AdTherM, as a platform is centred around the models and methods used to evaluate, analyse, and develop thermal industrial systems. AdTherM's objective is to create, through theoretical and numerical models, a knowledge-based development and design process for next-generation technologies for sustainable energy conversion, heat management, and energy recovery. The goal is to build competence and knowledge through an internationally recognized centre. The results in the form of increased knowledge and improved models will be usable by the industry to improve its manufacturing processes and products facilitating increased innovation.

Project description

For improved sustainability thermal loads from combustion of new fuels (e.g. hydro-gen), in energy storage systems under development (e.g. batteries), and in other industrial systems and processes, needs to be better understood and managed. Particular challenges arise when these heat loads occur in reactive flows and as part of a highly transient process. The objective of this task is to investigate reacting flow in conjunction with heat conduction and thermal radiation using high fidelity numerical simulation models in relevant configurations. A methodology should be developed to analyze such flow situations that should be applicable to, but not limited to, gas turbine combustors and battery fires. The numerical simulation work will be supported by experiments performed e.g. at Siemens Energy AB and Northvolt Systems AB. These will serve as a basis for developing the methodology and for validation.

The focus of the work will be the establishment of a methodology for the coupled simulation of reacting flow with conjugate heat transfer and radiation. More or less established methodologies exist for these processes separately but here the goal is to combine them and apply to practical industrial problems which are more complex than common academic problems.

Work duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

The research will contain the following:

• Improve the understanding of heat transfer in systems that involve reacting flow such as gas turbine burners and battery fires.
• Perform and validate complex simulations with sub-models for conjugate heat transfer, chemical reactions, turbulence, and thermal radiation.

Admission requirements 

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant: 

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Energy Sciences if the applicant has:

• at least 90 credits in the subject of the third cycle programme,  of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses of relevance to the subject and 30 credits from a second-cycle degree project of relevance to the subject
• a Master's degree of relevance to the field

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills.
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience. 

Other assessment criteria:

• Knowledge of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, chemically reacting flows and/or reacting surfaces.
• Experience of Computational Fluid Fynamics (CFD).
• Ability to communicate with researchers in other research fields.  

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. 
Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee.

Work at Lund University

Terms of employment 

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Welcome to apply!

We would also like to mention our other positions within the competence centre AdTherM.

Please note that you must submit your application to all the positions separately. You can find the links to the posts below:

Doctoral Student in Energy Sciences/AdTherM(Pa24/1363)
Doctoral Student in Energy Scinces/AdTherM(PA2024/1364)
Doctoral Student in Energy Sciences/AdTherM(PA2024/1374)