Postdoc position: Towards Predictive Plasma-Assisted Combustion: Advanced Kinetic Modeling for Sustainable Fuels Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium

Vrije Universiteit Brussel is offering a full-time postdoc position in the Department of Mechanical Engineering within the ERC Starting Grant project ESCAPADE (“Energising the future with clean plasma-based technologies”, proposal number 101302707). The project sits at the intersection of plasma-assisted combustion, combustion chemistry, kinetic modeling, and predictive simulation for sustainable fuels.

The research addresses a major challenge in the transition to low-emission energy systems: how to model plasma-assisted combustion with sufficient accuracy to support industrial deployment. ESCAPADE aims to build an innovative multi-physics simulation framework combining first-principles modeling, machine learning, reduced-order methods, and computational fluid dynamics. Within this broader effort, the postdoc project focuses on the development of next-generation plasma-combustion kinetic models.

The successful candidate will work on detailed state-to-state reaction mechanisms by integrating ab initio calculations, experimental measurements, and data-driven approaches. The work includes using advanced data assimilation techniques to combine theory and experiments, identifying missing reaction pathways, estimating uncertain kinetic parameters, and helping construct comprehensive reaction networks. Machine learning will be used to accelerate model development and improve predictive capability.

The core application domain is ammonia/hydrogen fuel blends, which are increasingly important as carbon-free energy carriers. Methane-based systems will be used as benchmark cases for validation. The resulting mechanisms are expected to improve the description of non-equilibrium plasma chemistry, vibrationally excited species, and the interactions between plasma discharges and combustion processes.

This is a researcher profile R2 postdoc position with a planned start date of 1 February 2027. The appointment is offered for 12 months and may be extended subject to positive evaluation. Salary follows the government scales. The position is located at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Brussels, Belgium.

Applicants should hold a PhD in engineering, chemistry, physics, or applied mathematics, with background in chemical kinetics, combustion, fluid dynamics, or plasma physics. Strong numerical and programming skills are expected, with Fortran, Python, or C++ mentioned explicitly. Experience with CFD tools such as Ansys Fluent or OpenFOAM is considered an advantage, as is prior exposure to plasma-assisted combustion. English proficiency is required.

Applications must be submitted via the VUB jobs portal by 15 November 2026. Required documents include a motivation letter, degree certificates and transcripts, a summary of the PhD thesis, a CV with publication list if applicable, one or two reference letters, proof of English proficiency, and a short motivation video. The selection process consists of an initial file review followed by an interview. Questions about the job content can be directed to Prof Aurélie Bellemans at [email protected].