Research project on Fuel injection strategies for liquid ammonia blends for dual-fuel internal combustion engines
In this project, the DC will work on advanced fuel injection strategies for liquid ammonia (LNH₃) and NH₃–H₂ blends in dual-fuel internal combustion engines (DFICEs). The project combines thermodynamic modeling, machine learning, and high-fidelity CFD simulations.
The candidate will develop tabulated thermodynamic and transport properties for NH₃–H₂ mixtures using the PC-SAFT equation of state, train and implement machine learning models within a CFD solver, and perform detailed simulations of in-nozzle flow and fuel injection. The work will also contribute to building a CFD simulation database and developing reduced-order models (ROMs) of fuel injection with open-source tools.
The position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of combustion, multiphase flows, and data-driven modelling for sustainable propulsion technologies.
Academic Supervisor: Prof Gavaises (CITY)
Co-Supervisors: Dr Mouyeke (WLO)
Who we are looking for?
- MSc, MRes, MEng, or equivalent in Mechanical engineering, Aerospace engineering, Chemical engineering, Computer science, Physics, or a related discipline.
- Skills/Qualifications: Must have solid knowledge of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, machine learning and its applications. Experience with numerical methods, CFD, or scientific programming (e.g. Python, MATLAB, C++) is an advantage.
- Interested in multiphase flows, fuel injection, and sustainable propulsion technologies, and motivation to work at the interface of physics-based modeling and data-driven methods.
- Curiosity for complex systems, willingness to learn new tools, and ability to work in an interdisciplinary research environment are essential.
- Appreciation for proactive drive to collaborate across disciplines.
- Proficient in the English language.
What are the benefits?
- A prestigious three-year MSCA Fellowship.
- A thorough scientific education within the frame of a doctoral training program.
- The possibility to participate in specific international courses, workshops and conferences.
- Strong involvement in a European research project with high international visibility.
- The possibility to perform research visits to internationally renowned research labs in Europe.
- An attractive salary package according to the MSCA Work Programme: link. *Amount is adjusted via a correction coefficient based on the country in which the researcher is recruited.
What are the rules?
- Applicant must hold a MSc or equivalent in the field required for the corresponding vacancy.
- Applicant must be eligible to enrol on a PhD programme at the host institution (or at a designated university in case the host institution is a non-academic organisation).
- Applicants must have the necessary academic skills and background to make the success of a doctoral degree.
- MSCA Mobility Rule: researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status are not taken into account.
- Additionally, a DC applicant must fulfil the local requirements of the recruiting institutions.