PhD position in dynamic modeling and control of Small Modular Reactors for Combined Heat and Power applications KU Leuven in Belgium

KU Leuven is offering a four-year PhD position in the dynamic modeling and control of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for Combined Heat and Power applications. The project sits at the intersection of nuclear engineering, thermal-hydraulics, reactor physics, model reduction, and advanced control, with a clear application to flexible low-carbon energy systems.

This PhD is part of FLEX-SMR, a collaborative project funded by the Belgian Federal Government through the Energy Transition Fund. The consortium brings together KU Leuven, The Binding Energy (TBE), and INOVYN Manufacturing Belgium to develop cost-optimal approaches for integrating SMRs into industrial energy systems. A particular focus is how an SMR can operate alongside other assets, such as electrical boilers, within a Model Predictive Control framework that balances electricity and heat production under variable demand.

The research will be carried out in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KU Leuven under the supervision of Prof. Niels Horsten, who leads the thermal-hydraulics research activities on SMRs at the university. The successful candidate will contribute to the development and validation of high-fidelity dynamic models of a PWR-type SMR, including reactor physics and thermal-hydraulic phenomena, in collaboration with TBE. The work will also explore reduced-order modelling, surrogate models, and machine-learning approaches such as neural networks to accelerate reactor simulations for real-time and system-level applications.

A major part of the project is the design of advanced control strategies for flexible reactor operation. The aim is to ensure safe and efficient performance under time-varying electricity prices and heat demand while maintaining operational and safety constraints. The position is well suited to candidates interested in scientific computing, simulation, energy systems, and the role of nuclear technology in industrial decarbonisation.

Applicants should hold a Master's degree in Engineering or equivalent, ideally in nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, energy engineering, applied physics, or a closely related field, with at least distinction from a reputable institute. Strong preparation in numerical modelling, heat and mass transfer, fluid mechanics, or reactor physics is expected, together with excellent English skills and the ability to conduct independent research. Experience with reactor dynamics modelling, system thermal-hydraulic codes such as RELAP5 or ATHLET, and machine learning or reduced-order modelling would be advantageous.

The position provides a doctoral scholarship for four years, a competitive salary and benefits, and an international research environment with opportunities for conferences, doctoral training, summer schools, and collaboration across academia and industry. Remote working is possible up to 40% of the time. The intended start date is November 2026, though this can be discussed. The application is open until 2026-08-31, but decisions may be made as soon as a suitable candidate applies, so early submission is encouraged.