Assistant Professor - Turbomachinery and Propulsion (Numerical Methods)

Call for candidates for permanent faculty position at VKI in the Turbomachinery and Propulsion Department

Assistant Professor in Numerical Methods for Turbomachinery and Propulsion

The position

The Turbomachinery and Propulsion Department invites applications for a full-time permanent faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Numerical Methods for Turbomachinery and Propulsion.

We seek outstanding candidates with the potential to establish an independent and internationally visible research programme advancing the prediction and understanding of complex flows in turbomachinery, propulsion and energy-conversion systems.

Areas of particular interest include:

• High-fidelity and scale-resolving simulation, including LES, hybrid RANS/LES and DNS where appropriate, turbulence modelling, and multiphysics simulations involving heat transfer, combustion or aeroelasticity.
• Advanced numerical methods and high-performance computing, including high-order methods, scalable scientific computing and GPU-based simulation.
• Physics-informed and data-driven methods integrated with simulation, including machine-learning-assisted physical modelling, reduced-order and surrogate modelling, data assimilation and digital twins.

Applications may address axial and centrifugal compressors and turbines, rotating machinery, gas-turbines and advanced propulsion systems, and more broadly fluid-flow problems associated with energy conversion.

Main responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Develop and lead an independent research programme of international standing.
• Build and supervise a team of PhD researchers, postdoctoral researchers and Research Master students.
• Teach and develop courses in computational fluid dynamics, turbomachinery and related areas within the VKI academic programmes.
• Secure external research funding; initiate and lead collaborative research projects.
• Collaborate with VKI experimental and computational research groups and with academic, industrial and institutional partners.
• Publish and communicate research findings at the highest scientific level and contribute to the scientific life and development of the Institute.

Candidate profile

Candidates should have:

• A PhD in mechanical or aerospace engineering, applied mathematics, computational science, or another closely related field.
• An excellent research record, commensurate with career stage, in computational fluid dynamics or related computational methods relevant to turbomachinery, propulsion or energy-conversion systems.
• Demonstrated potential to develop an original and independent research programme and attract external research funding.
• A strong commitment to high-quality teaching, student supervision and mentoring.
• The ability to work effectively in an international and collaborative research environment and to communicate fluently in English.

Postdoctoral or relevant industrial research experience is desirable but not mandatory. Experience connecting high-fidelity simulation with engineering modelling, experiments, optimisation or data-driven methods will be considered as an advantage.

Working environment and benefits

The successful candidate will:

• Hold a full-time permanent faculty position at the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, located in Sint-Genesius-Rode, close to Brussels.
• Have access to VKI's experimental and computational research infrastructure and associated technical, engineering and HPC support.
• Work within an international research environment with strong connections to leading universities, research organisations and industrial partners in Europe and internationally.
• Have the opportunity to establish an independent research programme while contributing to collaborative activities across the Institute.

Eligibility

Candidates should be eligible to obtain a personal security clearance through the Belgian national security authority. The VKI reserves the right to evaluate each application based on all relevant aspects.

VKI is committed to equal opportunities, diversity and an inclusive research and educational environment.

Timeline

Applications received by December 1st will receive full consideration. Applications may remain open until the position is filled.

The starting date is flexible and will be agreed with the successful candidate. Tentative starting period is March – June 2027

Application procedure

Applicants should submit through the VKI online careers portal:

1. A cover letter describing their interest in the position.

1. A curriculum vitae including publication record, research funding and teaching/supervision experience. The CV must clearly indicate all nationalities and countries of residence of the past 5 years.

1. A research statement describing previous contributions and a research vision for the next five years, including potential funding directions and fit with VKI activities (maximum 3 pages).
2. A teaching and mentoring statement describing previous experience and future interests (maximum 2 pages).
3. Contact details for three referees. Recommendation letters may be requested at a later stage of the selection process.

For scientific enquiries about the position, please contact Professor Tom Verstraete <tom.verstraete@vki.ac.be>

Selection process

1. Applications will first be reviewed by the recruitment committee and shortlisted.
2. Candidates retained after this stage will be invited to VKI for an on-site interview and visit of the Institute, including discussions with relevant faculty and staff.
3. The recruitment committee will then establish the final ranking and proceed with the selection decision in accordance with VKI procedures.

Important:

• Applicants who do not address the application requirements above will not be considered at the shortlist stage
• Do not send your application by email but apply online: The von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, link CAREERS

About VKI

For 70 years, the von Karman Institute (VKI) has been an international centre of excellence in fluid dynamics, bringing together young engineers and scientists from around the world to pursue advanced education, develop their expertise, and conduct cutting-edge research. The VKI provides postgraduate education in fluid dynamics, promoting the philosophy of “training in research through research” within a highly international and collaborative environment.

In addition to its educational mission, VKI has a long-standing tradition of research across the broad spectrum of fluid dynamics. Its research activities bring together leading scientists and engineers to address complex and demanding challenges across many disciplines. These include the development of next-generation engines, innovative propulsion concepts, sustainable energy solutions, wind technologies, multiphase and atmospheric flows, industrial safety, cleaner space technologies, aerospace missions, and many other areas aimed at advancing scientific knowledge and contributing to a more sustainable and responsible society.

VKI offers a unique portfolio of approximately 50 wind tunnels and experimental test facilities, providing exceptional opportunities for both fundamental and applied research. The Institute also strongly promotes the integration of computational and experimental fluid dynamics, including the application of machine learning and other emerging technologies to fluid dynamics research.