Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Fluid Dynamics (On-site)

Job summary

The role involves developing a high-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model for continuous-fiber additive manufacturing, focusing on the behavior of thermoplastic matrix and continuous fibers during the 3D printing process. The position is part of an EU-funded project aimed at optimizing large-scale additive manufacturing for lightweight electric vehicle battery packs.

Qualifications

• PhD degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field.
• Strong background in computational fluid dynamics, numerical modeling, or multiphase/coupled flow simulation, preferably in polymer processing or additive manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with OpenFOAM and ability to develop or extend custom solvers.

Responsibilities

• Develop a CFD model of material extrusion for continuous-fiber reinforced thermoplastics.
• Couple matrix flow with fiber-scale mechanics using an FEM solver like CalculiX.
• Translate process parameters into predictive models linking fiber architecture, matrix rheology, and printed part quality.
• Explore reduced-order modeling approaches for simulation acceleration.

Skills

• Knowledge of fiber-reinforced polymers and their rheological, mechanical, or thermal behavior is advantageous.
• Experience with rheological constitutive modeling and reduced-order modeling techniques.
• Familiarity with overset/moving-mesh methods or coupled-motion CFD approaches is a plus.

Education

• A formal qualification of a PhD degree (or equivalent) is required.

Tools

• OpenFOAM, CalculiX, and other relevant numerical modeling tools.