Two postdoc in Thermofluid Design and Digital Modeling of Cooling Systems for Electrochemical Reactors

Two postdoc positions in Thermofluid Design and Digital Modeling of Cooling Systems for Electrochemical Reactors

The Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering (MPE) at Aarhus University invites applications for two postdoc positions offering an excellent opportunity to research the thermal design and digital modeling of cooling systems for electrochemical reactors. Each postdoc position is for a two-year period and is available from 1 January 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Electrochemical reactors release substantial heat during operation, and the cooling system therefore governs their thermal performance, operational robustness and cost. The overall aim of the project is to design, optimize and digitally model the cooling system of a pilot-scale electrochemical reactor. The work combines physics-based thermal design and process-level system simulation with high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics and fast reduced-order and machine-learning models, so that the final design is both experimentally realizable and accompanied by a digital thermal model suitable for real-time prediction and control.

The two positions are closely coupled. One focuses on physics-driven thermal design and optimization, the other on CFD-driven digital modeling and thermal prediction. The two postdocs will work in close interaction.

Expected start date and duration of employment

Each postdoc position is for a two-year period and is available from 1 January 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Job description

Please state clearly in your application which position you are applying for, or whether you wish to be considered for both.

Position 1: Physics-driven thermal design and optimization

The objective of this position is to develop an optimized cooling system design that satisfies thermal performance, operational robustness, and cost constraints under realistic operating conditions. Your tasks will include:

• Developing analytical and lumped-parameter thermal models that relate operating conditions, electrochemical heat generation, and cooling system performance.
• Identifying the dominant heat transfer controllers and thermal bottlenecks within the cooling loop.
• Designing and rating alternative cooling loop configurations through process-level simulations in Aspen or equivalent system simulation tools.
• Evaluating candidate designs with respect to heat transfer efficiency, pressure losses, operational robustness, and costs.
• Refining the system-level models iteratively using feedback from the CFD and digital modeling activity and delivering a final thermal design specification for prototype construction.

Position 2: CFD-driven digital modeling and thermal prediction

The objective of this position is to refine the cooling system design and to develop a digital thermal model capable of fast and accurate prediction for real-time operation. Your tasks will include:

• Developing high-fidelity CFD models of the cooling system based on the design specifications produced in the first activity, resolving detailed flow and heat transfer phenomena.
• Identifying localized thermal and hydraulic bottlenecks and feeding these insights back into the physical design work.
• Developing, training and validating reduced-order and machine-learning-based surrogate models that emulate the high-fidelity simulations at a fraction of the computational cost.
• Implementing simplified models as a digital twin supporting real-time monitoring, control and predictive analysis during experimental operation.

Both positions include reporting and publication of the results, and the opportunity to contribute to the supervision of PhD and MSc students working on related topics.

Your profile

Successful candidates must hold a PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related discipline.

For both positions we expect:

• A strong background in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer.
• Solid scientific programming skills, for example in Python or MATLAB.
• A documented publication record relative to career stage.
• The ability to work independently and to collaborate in an interdisciplinary team, including with industrial partners.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both spoken and written.

In addition, for Position 1 we look for:

• Experience with process and system-level simulation, for example Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, or equivalent tools.
• Experience with the design and rating of heat exchangers and cooling loops.
• Knowledge of electrochemical systems and their heat generation is an advantage.

In addition, for Position 2 we look for:

• Strong experience with computational fluid dynamics, for example STAR-CCM+ or OpenFOAM.
• Experience with reduced-order modeling and machine-learning-based surrogate models.
• Experience with high-performance and parallel computing.
• Familiarity with digital twins and real-time deployment of predictive models is an advantage.

Who we are

The two postdoctoral positions will be hosted across the two complementary research groups within the Fluids and Energy Section at the Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering (MPE).

Fluid Mechanics and Turbulence group, led by Associate Professor Mahdi Abkar, focuses on developing and testing improved numerical models to predict the complex interaction between turbulent flows and the environment, with an emphasis on energy systems. Our mission is to advance the scientific understanding of turbulence while supporting industrial partners in accelerating the green transition and the digitalization of society within fluids engineering. For more information about the group’s work, see: Fluid Mechanics and Turbulence.

The Thermodynamics and Renewable Energy research group, led by Assistant Professor Navid Zehtabiyan-Rezaie, works at the energy and water nexus and combines physics-based modelling with data-driven approaches to predict complex thermo-fluidic phenomena across scales. Its expertise is particularly relevant to the thermal design and optimization of the cooling system, process-level modelling, and integration of physics-based and data-driven approaches. For more information about the group’s work, see: Thermodynamics and Renewable Energy.

What we offer

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will be a valuable member of the Fluids & Energy section and the MPE department at Aarhus University. The department offers:

• An interdisciplinary environment with many national, international, and industrial collaborators.
• The opportunity to co-supervise PhD and MSc students working in related topics.
• A workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.
• Good salary based on the candidate's experience.

Place of work and area of employment

Place of employment is Aarhus University, and place of work is Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Katrinebjergvej 89, 8200 Aarhus N.

Contact information

For further information please contact:

Associate Professor Mahdi Abkar: abkar@mpe.au.dk

Tenure-track Assistant Professor Navid Zehtabiyan-Rezaie: zehtabiyan@mpe.au.dk

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 25.09.2026.

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self.

Formalities and salary range

Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions at basic salary steps 4-8.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.