PhD Position: Over Rough Surfaces at Lund University, Sweden

Summary

Lund University is offering a doctoral position at the Department of Energy Sciences, Faculty of Engineering (LTH). The successful candidate will join the Division of Heat Transfer to conduct research on numerical modeling and simulation of turbulent flows, with a specific focus on heat transfer over rough surfaces. This project is a collaborative effort with industrial partners including Siemens Energy AB, Ericsson AB, TRATON AB, and RISE.

PhD Position: Numerical Simulations of Turbulent Heat Transfer Over Rough Surfaces at Lund University

Project Description

The goal of this doctoral project is to develop a deeper physical understanding of the interaction between surface roughness, turbulence, and heat transfer. The research will utilize high-fidelity numerical simulations, including Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) and Large Eddy Simulation (LES), using codes such as OpenFOAM, CaNS, and nekRS. The project aims to translate fundamental findings into improved engineering models and correlations suitable for industrial applications.

Work Duties

• Performing DNS and LES of turbulent flow and heat transfer over rough surfaces.
• Setting up and validating simulations on GPU- and CPU-based high-performance computing (HPC) systems.
• Processing and visualizing large datasets to identify physical mechanisms and scaling relations.
• Developing reduced-order models and improved RANS modeling approaches.
• Collaborating with industrial partners and presenting research at international conferences.
• Participating in doctoral courses and potentially assisting in teaching (up to 20% of work time).

Eligibility and Qualifications

General Requirements

• A second-cycle qualification (Master’s degree) or completion of at least 240 credits (with 60 credits in the second cycle).
• Equivalent knowledge acquired in Sweden or abroad.

Specific Requirements

• A Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Energy Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of fluid mechanics, CFD, and turbulent flows.
• Experience in a substantial research project or thesis involving CFD or heat transfer.
• Proficiency in scientific programming (C/C++, Fortran, Python, or Matlab).
• Practical experience with HPC systems.
• Excellent command of spoken and written English.

Meriting Qualifications

• Experience with DNS/LES, wall-bounded turbulence, or convective heat transfer.
• Familiarity with OpenFOAM, CaNS, or nekRS.
• Knowledge of parallel computing or GPU-accelerated computing.
• Experience in industrial collaboration or scientific publishing.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted in English through the Lund University recruitment system and include the following documents:

• A CV and cover letter explaining your interest in the project and relevant experience.
• Copies of degree certificates and transcripts of records.
• A copy of your Master’s thesis (or a summary if not yet completed).
• Contact information for at least two references.
• Any other relevant documents such as publications or letters of recommendation.

Apply Link: Official Application Portal

Last Date for Apply

The deadline for submitting your application is November 29, 2026.