Postdoctoral Researcher: Lattice Boltzmann modelling of transpiration cooling in porous media

The chair of Building Physics at the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering of ETH Zurich is seeking outstanding candidates for a Postdoctoral Researcher. The candidate will have a research focus on the design of new porous media for evaporation and transpiration cooling using lattice Boltzmann Modelling (LBM) at pore scale. The postdoctoral position is paid on an ETH Zurich grant.

• Design of self-pumping transpiration and evaporation cooling porous materials based on the proposed methodology: from optimized 2D channel networks towards 3D porous media. Validation of LBM simulations based on micro-fluid experiments of the 2D channel networks.
• Development of a three-dimensional (3D) non-isothermal two-component two-phase LBM model for the efficient simulation of evaporation and transpiration cooling of porous media at pore scale by GPU computation.

• A PhD title in civil, mechanical, chemical, environmental engineering, physics or closely related field
• A strong understanding of coupled heat and mass transport processes in porous materials at pore scale including phase changes
• A strong background and experience in Lattice Boltzmann Modelling
• Strong programming skills in C++, Python, Fortran, etc.
• Experience in parallel computing and GPU is a plus
• Experience in microfluidic experiments is a plus
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a track record of research publications

• Nice working environment
• International contacts
• Support in career planning
• Support in communication and publishing skills