PhD candidate (4-year contract) in Thermal Engineering Group
Universitat Jaume I in Castellón de la Plana, Spain, is offering a 4-year PhD candidate position within the Thermal Engineering Research Group of the Mechanical Engineering and Construction Department. The project,
Natural Refrigerant technologies for Ultra-Low Temperature Cooling (NAR-ULT)
, focuses on developing and experimentally validating high-efficiency ultra-low temperature refrigeration systems using only natural refrigerants.
The doctoral researcher will work on advanced modelling of ultra-low temperature refrigeration architectures, the design of test rigs, construction of prototypes, monitoring, testing, and performance evaluation. The project targets the creation and validation of at least two prototypes capable of reaching -150°C in the refrigerated space. The environment is highly international and multidisciplinary, with expertise in refrigeration technologies, cryogenics, and heat pumps.
This is a full-time, in-person PhD contract of 36 hours per week, starting in January 2027. Funding is provided through the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (project reference PID2025-170246OB-I00). The advert lists approximate gross salaries for the different years of the contract, along with final compensation and participation in scientific conferences.
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent and have a background in Engineering (mechanical, thermodynamics, chemical, industrial, or similar). Strong English communication skills are required, together with availability to travel, good knowledge of refrigeration science, and refrigeration facility construction/testing skills. Knowledge of Matlab, Labview, Refrpop, and Visual Studio is also mentioned.
To apply, candidates should send a CV and motivation letter to Prof. Rodrigo Llopis ([email protected]). The deadline is 23 October 2026.
