Vrije Universiteit Brussel
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PhD Position in State-to-State Plasma-Assisted Combustion Solvers and Reduced-Order Modeling Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Full-time PhD scholarship for 12 months, extendable up to a maximum of 48 months subject to positive evaluation of PhD activities. The grant is linked to one of the government salary scales. The scholarship is conditional on enrolment as a doctoral student at the university. Additional benefits include homeworking options, a €50 monthly telework allowance or €20 monthly internet fee, 35 days of annual leave, cost-free hospitalisation insurance, public-transport commuting reimbursement or bicycle
Deadline
Nov 15, 2026
Country
Belgium
University
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
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About this position
Vrije Universiteit Brussel is offering a full-time PhD position in the development of state-to-state plasma-assisted combustion solvers at the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Applied Mechanics, within the Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics research group and the VUB-ULB BRITE research network.
The project is part of the ERC Starting Grant project ESCAPADE: Energising the future with clean plasma-based technologies. The research will develop predictive computational tools for plasma-assisted combustion by combining detailed state-to-state kinetic modelling, mechanism reduction, physics-informed machine learning, and computational fluid dynamics. The work will address plasma discharges, non-equilibrium chemistry, flame dynamics, and sustainable fuels, with particular emphasis on ammonia/hydrogen combustion.
The PhD researcher will create reduction methodologies for large kinetic mechanisms containing hundreds to thousands of species and reactions, using approaches such as plasma-directed relation graph techniques, principal component analysis, and machine-learning-based lumping. The resulting reduced-order models will be integrated into in-house plasma-assisted combustion solvers and validated against experimental benchmark datasets. Applications include DNS and LES simulations of realistic low-emission combustion systems.
Candidates should hold a relevant MSc in engineering, applied mathematics, physics, computational science, or a related discipline. Strong numerical methods, scientific computing, and programming skills in Python, Fortran, and/or C++ are expected. Knowledge of chemical kinetics, plasma physics, combustion, reduced-order modelling, or machine learning is desirable. Experience with CFD, DNS, LES, kinetic mechanism reduction, data-driven modelling, or high-performance computing is advantageous.
The position is based at the Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus in Elsene, Belgium. It provides a 12-month doctoral grant, extendable up to 48 months subject to evaluation, with a planned start date of 1 February 2027. Applications must include a CV, motivation letter, and diploma and be submitted by 15 November 2026.
Questions about the research may be directed to Prof. Aurélie Bellemans at [email protected].
Funding details
Full-time PhD scholarship for 12 months, extendable up to a maximum of 48 months subject to positive evaluation of PhD activities. The grant is linked to one of the government salary scales. The scholarship is conditional on enrolment as a doctoral student at the university. Additional benefits include homeworking options, a €50 monthly telework allowance or €20 monthly internet fee, 35 days of annual leave, cost-free hospitalisation insurance, public-transport commuting reimbursement or bicycle
What's required
Applicants must hold a Master of Science in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Computational Science, or a related field. They should have a strong background in numerical methods and scientific computing, excellent programming skills in Python, Fortran and/or C++, an interest in chemical kinetics, plasma physics, combustion, reduced-order modelling, and machine learning, and fluency in written and spoken English. Strong analytical skills and the ability to work independently and as part of an international research team are required. Experience with CFD, DNS, LES, kinetic mechanism reduction, data-driven modelling, or high-performance computing is an asset. Applicants must not have performed assistant work paid from operating resources for more than 12 cumulative months, and non-EEA applicants must meet VUB permit and residence requirements.
How to apply
Apply online through jobs.vub.be by 15 November 2026. Upload a CV, motivation letter, and diploma (not required for VUB alumni). The selection process includes an initial application review followed by a job interview.
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Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.