Postdoctoral Position and Research Fellowship in HEATFORCE Project: Predicting Heat Transfer by Forced Convection in Variable Properties Fluids Gran Sasso Science Institute in Italy

The Gran Sasso Science Institute in Italy is offering a postdoctoral position and a research fellowship under the HEATFORCE project, which focuses on predicting heat transfer by forced convection in fluids with variable properties. The project addresses fundamental challenges in heat transfer within turbulent flows, particularly when fluid properties such as density and viscosity change with temperature. This research is highly relevant to a wide range of energy systems, including domestic radiators, heat pumps, fuel cells, nuclear power plants, solar receivers, electronic cooling systems, aircraft, and rocket engines.

HEATFORCE utilizes high-fidelity Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) to investigate how temperature-induced variations in fluid properties affect wall friction and heat transfer, both on smooth and rough surfaces. The postdoctoral researcher will specifically study turbulent wall-bounded flows in air and water, aiming to advance the physical understanding of these flows and develop reliable, physics-based predictive models for engineering applications.

The ideal candidate for this position will have a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field. Essential qualifications include a strong background in compressible turbulence, heat transfer, wall-bounded flows, and numerical methods for fluid dynamics, as demonstrated by prior research experience. Additional expertise in turbulent flows over rough surfaces, GPU programming, and large-scale high-performance computing simulations will be considered a significant asset.

The scientific supervisor for this position is Dr. Davide Modesti. The research will be conducted at the Gran Sasso Science Institute, located in L’Aquila, Italy. The application deadline is May 21, 2026, at 15:00 CET. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications through the official portal and ensure they meet all eligibility requirements.

This opportunity is ideal for researchers seeking to contribute to cutting-edge advancements in heat transfer, turbulence, and computational fluid dynamics, with applications across multiple energy and engineering systems.