Vacancy Notice 407/2024

Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (OVGU) is an internationally oriented and regionally networked university with a strong research profile.

The Faculty of Process and Systems Engineering seeks to fill the following vacancy at the Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics:

Research Associate / Post Doc (m/f/d) in the field of Spray cooling systems for electric-motors

Salary scale:
13 TV-L

Date commencing: next possible date

Fixed term (until):
24 month

Contract status:
100 %

We are a university with a focus on engineering and natural sciences as well as economics, human sciences and medicine. We offer excellent study and working conditions to 13,000 students from Germany and abroad as well as approx. 3,000 employees.

The position is part of the newly established EIC pathfinder project, “A HOLISTIC APPROACH FOR ELECTRIC MOTOR COOLING”, with collaboration partners in Sweden, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Greece and the United Kingdom.

At the Institute of Fluid Dynamics and Thermodynamics we are a group of enthusiastic researchers with intensive research activities in the numerical modelling of multiphase flows. As part of our research on multiphase flows, we study the complex behaviour of atomization of weakly viscoelastic fluids that exhibit exchanged rheological and heat transfer properties, making them suitable for cooling of electric motors.

We are looking for one post-doctoral research fellows to join us for 24 months with main task on “Machine learning model development for spray cooling optimisation”. The application area of the modelling is in spray cooling for electric motors for the difficult to decarbonise sectors (aviation, long haul and heavy-duty vehicles). The position is part of the computational activities of the E-COOL consortium, focusing on the modeling of atomisation of coolants mixed with additives, which induce a non-Newtonian behaviour. Appropriate constitutive models have been implemented in the momentum conservation equation to address such a rheological behaviour and the effect on atomisation. The CFD models will be validated against experimental data obtained as part of E-COOL. Datasets will be generated with this validated code. The objective of this position is to develop an artificial neural network (ANN)-based deep learning algorithm for spray cooling and to couple the developed numerical tool with flow solvers of enhanced accuracy for treating viscoelastic flows.

Job description:

• Development of tensor-based and scalar ANN architectures
• Generation of datasets from the CFD simulations suitable for training of machine learning models
• Validation of the model against benchmark cases and experimental data
• Participation in the development of our in-house simulation tools in the C++ programming language
• Cooperation with our collaborators and researchers within the project
• Compilation of research papers coming from the work performed, including areview papers on subjects relevant to the advertised topic

Your profile:

• MSc degdree or equivalent and Ph D degree in mechanical engineering, process engineering, aerospace engineering, applied mathematics, physics or a related discipline
• Proven track record in working with physical problems and numerical methods
• A strong interest in computational fluid dynamics and machine learning
• Coding experience in C++ and Python in the context of numerical modelling
• Fluent command of written and spoken English is required

For further information about the position, please contact Prof Manolis Gavaises at: Emmanouil.gkavaises(at)ovgu.de, m.gavaises(at)city.ac.uk. And Prof Gabor Janiga at: janiga(at)ovgu.de

You will benefit from our structures and offerings in the fields of sustainability, diversity, family support and staff development. Our location in the center of a thriving, lively and family-friendly state capital guarantees a high quality of life and a wide range of leisure activities. For more information, please visit or [website of the department/chair].

Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg is a signatory of the German Diversity Charter. We welcome your application, regardless of gender, cultural and social background, age or sexual orientation. Applications from severely disabled people or people with an equivalent impairment will be given priority in the case of equal suitability, ability and professional expertise. Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg strongly promotes gender equality in all professional areas.

Please note the information for storage of personal data: .

Please send your complete application (motivation letter, curriculum vitae, graduation certificates, references) by January 5, 2025 using the online application portal.

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