Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V.
With cutting-edge research in the fields of ENERGY, HEALTH and MATTER, around 1,500 employees from more than 70 nations at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) are committed to mastering the great challenges facing society today.
The Institute of Fluid Dynamics is conducting basic and applied research in the fields of thermo-fluid dynamics and magnetohydrodynamics in order to improve the sustainability, the energy efficiency and the safety of industrial processes.
The department Computational Fluid Dynamics at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf develops CFD-models and frameworks for multiphase flow simulations. The target are multiphase flow processes in medium and large industrial applications, focussing mainly on the Euler-Euler approach. We are seeking a
PhD Student (f/m/d) to contribute to the “Numerical analysis of solidification processes in continuous casting of steel”,
which is one sub project in the European Training Network COMBINE, where a total of 17 PhD positions are available at the premises of 14 European institutions from academia and industry: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/401249.
Your Mission
The aim of this PhD project is to a develop a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model for analyzing the complex multiphase flow processes in the upper part of the mould during the steel casting process. In this region, molten steel and molten oxides interact with a moving wall and partially solidify. A model experiment to simulate the physical processes involved is being set up and run by another PhD student within the network at the HZDR. A close collaboration with this PhD student is desired. The CFD model should be based on OpenFOAM and integrated into an existing GitLab-based development platform to ensure sustainability and reuse of the results.
Within the project duration of 36 months transnational secondments of six months in total are planned to acquire further knowledge and foster scientific exchange.
Tasks:
- CFD-model development and validation based on OpenFOAM (Foundation release) reflecting the physical processes in the upper part of the mould including partial solidification
- Close cooperation with the PhD student preparing and conducting the related experiment
- Compilation of project reports and scientific publications
- Close collaboration with project partners
- Participation in secondments with industrial and academic partners: 1 month at Tata Steel Europe Ltd. (Netherlands), 5 months at University of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Requirements:
- Completed university studies (Master/Diploma) in the field of Mechanical or Process Engineering or a comparable subject
- Affinity to CFD modelling and open-source code development
- Excellent communication skills and motivation to work in an interdisciplinary and international research environment
- Willingness to travel and participate in international secondments
- Excellent written and spoken English skills
- C++ programming skills and ecperiences with OpenFOAM would be helpful
What we offer:
- A vibrant research community in an open, diverse and international work environment
- Multi-sectoral research and multi-national collaboration with fellows in the network
- Comprehensive network-wide and local training in technical and soft skills
- Attractive secondments at leading academic and industrial network partner institutions
- Salary in accordance with the EU MSCA regulations for Doctoral Researchers (page 118ff) - MSCA regulations
- Numerous company health management programs
- Employee discounts with well-known providers via the platform Corporate Benefits
- Employer subsidy for the Deutschland-Ticket Jobticket
How to apply:
The candidate will be registered as a doctoral student at Dresden University of Technology. The EU Mobility Rule applies. That is, the candidate must not have resided or carried out her/his main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the host country (in this case Germany) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.
We look forward to receiving your application documents (including cover letter, CV, diplomas/transcripts, etc.), which you can submit via our online-application-system:
https://www.hzdr.de/db/!BewerbungS1?pNid=490&pJid=2241&pLang=en
Facts
ID: 204508
- Num. of employees:
- 1.500
- Site:
-
- Dresden (Saxony, Germany)
- Type:
- PhD student
- Duration:
- 3 years
- Part-/Full-time:
- full-time
- Starting date (earliest):
- 01/09/26
- Remuneration:
- Salary in accordance with the EU MSCA regulations for Doctoral Researchers (page 118ff) - MSCA regulations
- Remote work:
- Partially possible
- Scope:
- Academia and research
- Research (academic)
- Mechanical engineering
- Field of studies:
- Natural sciences and mathematics
- Chemistry
- Mechanical engineering
- Level of education:
- Master/Diploma
- Working language and expected level:
-
- English (Fluent in speech and writing)
- German (Good command of the language)
Actions
Apply
- Closing date:
- 14/06/26
- Reference number:
- 2026/68
- By internet:
- https://www.hzdr.de/db/Cms?pNid=490&pLang=en&pOid=77722
- Application papers:
- cover letter, CV, diplomas/transcripts, etc.