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PhD position in Integrated Design and Optimization EPFL in Switzerland
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Full financial package for 3 years under the Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network rules, including competitive salary, mobility allowance, family allowance where applicable, full social security coverage, and paid leave.
Deadline
Nov 30, 2026
Country
Switzerland
University
EPFL
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About this position
TurboImpact is a Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network project hosted at EPFL in Neuchatel, within STI IGM LAMD. The position focuses on the integrated design and optimization of small-scale turbomachinery for applications such as heat pumps, fuel cells, organic Rankine cycles, and gas turbines.
The PhD project aims to build robust design methods for high-speed turbomachinery systems. The successful candidate will work on developing reduced-order models for gas-bearing supported turbomachinery, creating a unified optimization framework for complex systems, and defining automated design guidelines that balance competing performance metrics, robustness under uncertainty, and strict design constraints.
The research sits within a network of 14 Doctoral Candidates working on complementary aspects of the same theme. The project is supported by supervisors from European universities and research-intensive companies, and includes close collaboration with industry partners.
The role combines computational and experimental research. The student will design and execute experiments, analyze and interpret results, write scientific papers, present at international conferences, and participate in education and student project supervision. The environment is international, collaborative, and equipped for advanced research in turbomachinery design and manufacturing.
The advertised position is specifically centered on methods for robust system and component design, surrogate and data-driven modeling, and multi-disciplinary optimization for efficient small-scale turbomachinery development.
Funding details
Full financial package for 3 years under the Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network rules, including competitive salary, mobility allowance, family allowance where applicable, full social security coverage, and paid leave.
What's required
Applicants must comply with the MSCA Mobility Rule and, at the time of recruitment, must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Switzerland for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding recruitment. Candidates must be doctoral candidates and must not already hold a doctoral degree. Applicants must have a two-year master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, Computer Science, Data Science, Software Engineering, or a similar degree with an equivalent academic level. Strong background is required in model order reduction techniques, surrogate modeling approaches (ML/AI), data-driven approaches, multi-objective and multi-disciplinary optimization, constraint handling methodologies, and systems engineering, with an engineering background in energy conversion systems, dynamic systems, turbomachinery, and fluid dynamics; knowledge of manufacturing processes is also expected.
How to apply
Submit the complete online application via the "Apply now" link by 30 November 2026 at 23:59. Upload one PDF containing a motivation letter, CV, grade transcripts, BSc/MSc diploma with grading scale, BSc thesis, MSc thesis, and the names of three referees. Short-listed candidates will later need to apply to a specific EPFL Doctoral Program to qualify for the PhD.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.