Postdoc position: Towards Predictive Plasma-Assisted Combustion: Advanced Kinetic Modeling for Sustainable Fuels

Organisation/Company Vrije Universiteit Brussel Department Mechanical Engineering Research Field Engineering » Other Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 16 Nov 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Brussels) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Feb 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - ERC Reference Number 101302707 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

We offer a full-time postdoc position in the framework of the ERC Starting Grant project “Energising the future with clean plasma-based technologies” (ESCAPADE, proposal number 101302707). Plasma-assisted combustion (PAC) offers a promising pathway towards cleaner and more efficient combustion of sustainable fuels. However, progress towards industrial deployment is limited by the absence of predictive computational tools capable of capturing the complex interactions between plasma discharges, chemistry, and flame dynamics. ESCAPADE addresses this challenge by developing an innovative multi-physics simulation framework that combines first-principles modeling, machine learning, reduced-order techniques, and computational fluid dynamics. The project will deliver the next generation of predictive tools for the design and optimization of low-emission combustion systems operating with both sustainable and conventional fuels.

Plasma-assisted combustion (PAC) has emerged as a promising technology to improve the ignition, stability, and efficiency of combustion systems operating with sustainable fuels. However, the predictive simulation of PAC remains severely limited by the lack of accurate kinetic mechanisms capable of describing the complex interactions between plasma-generated species and combustion chemistry.

This postdoc project aims to develop next-generation plasma-combustion kinetic models through the integration of state-of-the-art ab initio calculations, experimental measurements, and data-driven approaches. The researcher will construct detailed state-to-state reaction mechanisms for plasma-assisted combustion by combining first-principles calculations with experimental observations through advanced data assimilation techniques. Machine-learning methods will be employed to identify missing reaction pathways, estimate uncertain kinetic parameters, and accelerate the development of comprehensive reaction networks.

The work will focus on ammonia/hydrogen fuel blends, which are gaining significant interest as carbon-free energy carriers, while methane-based systems will serve as benchmark configurations for model validation. The resulting kinetic mechanisms will provide unprecedented descriptions of non-equilibrium plasma chemistry and vibrationally excited species and will form the foundation of high-fidelity state-to-state models for plasma-assisted combustion simulations.

• You hold a PhD in engineering, chemistry, physics, or applied mathematics with a focus on either chemical kinetics, combustion, fluid dynamics, or plasma physics;
• You have experience in numerical simulation, excellent computational skills, expertise in programming (Fortran/Python/C++);
• Your experience with CFD software such as Ansys Fluent/ OpenFOAM is a plus;
• Your experience with plasma-assisted combustion physics is a plus;
• You are interested in fluid dynamics, chemical kinetics, data-driven modeling;
• You are fluent in written and spoken English;
• You are a team player who can work independently.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Research Field Engineering Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Research Field Chemistry Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

Are you going to be our new colleague?

You’ll be offered a contract, for an assignment of 1 FTE, for 12 months (extendable, on condition of the positive evaluation of the research activities), with planned starting date01/02/2027.

You’ll receive a salary linked to one of the scales set by the government.

At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career.

As well as this, you will also enjoy various other benefits:

• Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros per month OR an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
• An open and informal working environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave(based on a fulltime contract), closure between Christmas and New Year and 3 extra leave days;
• Cost-free hospitalisation insurance;
• Full reimbursement of your home-to-wo