PhD student – HyNOISE Doctoral Candidate (DC2): Combustion noise from H2/Air flames and dynamics during ignition and steady operation of H2/Air in longitudinal and annular combustors Polytechnic University of Bari in Italy

PhD opportunity in the HyNOISE Doctoral Network at the Polytechnic University of Bari, with the research work hosted in collaboration with the EM2C combustion laboratory at CentraleSupélec / Université Paris-Saclay in France. This Doctoral Candidate (DC2) project focuses on the prediction and control of combustion noise and thermoacoustic instabilities in hydrogen-air flames, a topic at the interface of aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, applied physics, and simulation/model-based combustion research.

The project investigates confined H2/air flames in single-injector and annular combustor configurations. The main scientific goals are to measure combustion noise from hydrogen flames, study ignition and flashback dynamics, characterize flame transfer functions and flame describing functions, and analyse self-excited azimuthal instabilities in annular chambers. The work includes experiments on a single injector test rig (SICCA), ignition studies in the annular chamber (MICCA), and reduced-order modelling to predict stability across operating conditions. Measurements will combine dynamic pressure sensing, high-speed imaging, heat-release-rate diagnostics, and low-order modelling.

The host team is the combustion dynamics group associated with Prof. Sébastien Candel, a well-known expert in combustion instabilities. The broader HyNOISE consortium brings together academic and industrial partners, including major European gas turbine manufacturers, with the aim of developing new models and tools for quieter, more stable hydrogen combustion systems. The doctoral network is designed to provide strong training in combustion, acoustics, modelling, and experimental diagnostics, alongside secondments and international collaboration.

Funding is provided through Horizon Europe / MSCA. The position is a 36-month full-time temporary doctoral contract with a competitive salary following MSCA rules, including living, mobility, and potentially family allowances, subject to eligibility. The position is open to candidates of any nationality, but applicants must satisfy the MSCA mobility rule and must not already hold a doctoral degree. Candidates may apply before completing the master’s degree, but the degree must be obtained before employment starts.

Applicants should submit one single PDF by email containing a cover letter, an evidence-based CV, reference letters or referee contacts, and degree/professional certificates. The application must be sent to [email protected] with the subject line “Application for DC2 position”. The deadline is 31 December 2026 at 23:59 Europe/Rome time. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview and a position-specific task, with the selection process conducted by the HyNOISE Recruitment Committee.