Fully Funded PhD Position: Nonlinear Flows in Confined Media, University of Barcelona, Spain

Summary

The University of Barcelona (UB Physics) and the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC) are inviting applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD position. This opportunity is part of a coordinated research project involving IDAEA-CSIC, UB-Physics, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, and international collaborators across France, the UK, Japan, and the USA. The position focuses on investigating fluid dynamics, non-Newtonian rheology, and complex phase behavior in porous media.

Designation

PhD Researcher / Doctoral Candidate (Predoctoral FPI Contract)

Key Details

Research Area

• Primary Field: Physics, Geosciences, Fluid Dynamics, and Transport Phenomena.
• Core Focus:
  • Understanding and quantifying the impact of nonlinearity on flow and transport in confined porous media.
  • Non-Newtonian fluid rheology.
  • Large driving rates causing dynamic capillary pressure and hysteresis in multiphase flows.
  • Complex phase behavior of multicomponent mixtures modeled with realistic equations of state.

Location

Barcelona, Spain

Eligibility / Qualification

• Academic Qualifications: Degree/Master’s in Physics, Geosciences, Civil Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Professional & Technical Experience:
  • Background or experience in experiments and/or modeling transport processes of normal and complex fluids (preferably in porous media).
  • Proficiency in scientific programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB, etc.).
• Language & Soft Skills:
  • Good proficiency in English.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and willingness to work in an international collaborative environment.

Job Description

• Enrolment in the Advanced Physics PhD program at the University of Barcelona.
• Conduct experimental and computational research on non-linear transport processes in disordered confined media.
• Participate actively in interdisciplinary collaborations with partner groups in Spain, France, the UK, Japan, and the USA.
• Write scientific papers for international peer-reviewed journals and present findings at academic conferences.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should send an email to both Prof. Jordi Ortin (jordi.ortin@fmc.ub.edu) and Dr. Ran Holtzman (ran.holtzman@csic.es).

• Email Subject Line: NonLinFlow_PhD
• Required Documents:
  1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  2. Motivation Letter
  3. Transcripts and complete course grades (informal scans accepted)
  4. Contact information for two professional/academic references
  5. Links or PDF copies of MSc thesis and/or relevant scientific publications

Last Date for Apply

August 31, 2026 (Applications are considered until the position is filled).