PhD Position in Aerodynamic Design of Small-Scale Turbomachinery

This PhD position is part of the MSCA-TurboImpact project, funded under Horizon Europe, focusing on the aerodynamic design and manufacturing of small-scale turbomachinery for applications in heat pumps, fuel cells, and organic Rankine cycles. The successful candidate will investigate how material properties, surface finish, and geometric tolerances influence aerodynamic performance, aiming to optimize designs using novel materials and manufacturing techniques. The role involves experimental validation through comparisons of conventional and ceramic turbocompressor components. Candidates will benefit from an international research environment, access to cutting-edge facilities, and supervision by leading experts. Training activities, workshops, and secondments at partner institutions are integral to the programme.

• Conduct research on how material properties, surface finish, and geometric tolerances affect aerodynamic performance in small-scale turbomachinery.
• Develop and apply multi-objective topology optimization to identify trade-offs between structural integrity and heat-transfer resistance in turbomachinery components.
• Design and validate internal cooling concepts for hollow hub and blade structures in small-scale turbomachinery.
• Integrate hollow hub structural design into robust design and optimization frameworks to ensure performance reliability under varying conditions.
• Participate in local and network-wide training activities, workshops, and international conferences related to research topics.
• Undertake secondments of approximately 4–6 months at partner institutions to collaborate on complementary research projects.
• Enrol in a PhD programme and conduct research in a stimulating international environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities.