Job Opportunities

The von Karman Institute offers the following job opportunities:

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher position in the H2020 ETN project SmartAnswer

SmartAnswer : Smart mitigation of flow-induced acoustic radiation and transmission for reduced aircraft, surface transport, workplaces and wind energy noise

Logo SmartAnswerA total of 15 PhD positions are available at 9 universities, 1 research centre and 3 industries, in the framework of the European Marie Curie European Training Network (ETN) SmartAnswer. This project is focused on the development of innovative technologies for flow and acoustic control, in a view to providing better passenger comfort and reduce the environmental impact in air and surface transportation, for quieter domestic appliances and systems on our homes and working places, and more sustainable wind energy production.


SmartAnswer is offering its young researchers an unprecedented training platform combining laboratory experiments, theoretical modelling, numerical simulations and optimization. They will be confronted with the constraints (manufacturing, economic, …) that apply in an innovation process through strong interactions with industrial stakeholders from the aeronautical, automotive, wind turbine and cooling/ventilation sectors.

 

In that context, the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics (VKI) is offering an ESR position for a PhD project entitled

Investigation of turbulence-surface interaction noise mechanisms and
their reduction using porous materials and micro-perforates

Marie Curie LogoThe objectives of the research project include the experimental, theoretical and numerical investigation of the physical mechanisms involved in the interaction of a blade profile subjected to incoming turbulence. A specific focus will be placed on the distortion that is experienced by turbulence in the immediate neighborhood of the blade surface. The insight gained in this study will be instrumental for the design and test of novel sound mitigation concepts based on advanced porous materials and micro-perforate panels. The targeted fields of application include (but are not limited to) airframe noise, aeronautical propulsion systems, HVAC systems for automotive, building and other sectors.


The PhD will be mainly based at the VKI under supervision by Prof. Christophe Schram, and several secondments are foreseen at partner institutions of the SmartAnswer network: at KTH (Sweden), Université de Sherbrooke (Canada), Delft University of Technology (Netherlands) and CETIAT (France). The multidisciplinary topics addressed in SmartAnswer are scientifically challenging and of high technological and economical relevance, promising interesting career perspectives in academic and multi-sectorial industrial environments.


The potential candidate must have a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics or a corresponding degree. Basic knowledge in acoustics or fluid mechanics is required. Knowledge in aeroacoustics is a significant asset. The applicant should have a good level in English, both written and spoken.


The SmartAnswer partners do strictly adhere to the ethical standards of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter). Female scientists are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants must satisfy some eligibility rules, in particular in terms of transnational mobility (http://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions). A strict equal opportunity, gender-neutral and internationally comparable recruitment procedure is implemented.

 

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Marie Skłodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher position in the H2020 ETN project SmartAnswer

SmartAnswer : Smart mitigation of flow-induced acoustic radiation and transmission for reduced aircraft, surface transport, workplaces and wind energy noise

Logo SmartAnswerA total of 15 PhD positions are available at 9 universities, 1 research centre and 3 industries, in the framework of the European Marie Curie European Training Network (ETN) SmartAnswer. This project is focused on the development of innovative technologies for flow and acoustic control, in a view to providing better passenger comfort and reduce the environmental impact in air and surface transportation, for quieter domestic appliances and systems on our homes and working places, and more sustainable wind energy production.


SmartAnswer is offering its young researchers an unprecedented training platform combining laboratory experiments, theoretical modelling, numerical simulations and optimization. They will be confronted with the constraints (manufacturing, economic, …) that apply in an innovation process through strong interactions with industrial stakeholders from the aeronautical, automotive, wind turbine and cooling/ventilation sectors.

 

In that context, the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics (VKI) is offering an ESR position for a PhD project entitled

Flow and acoustic control of low-speed cooling fans

Marie Curie ActionsThe objectives of the research project include the experimental, theoretical and numerical investigation of the physical mechanisms involved in the production of noise in an automotive cooling fan. Tonal noise results from periodic forces exerted by the rotor blades or stator vanes, related to inflow distortion or viscous/potential rotor-stator interactions. Broadband noise is generated by aperiodic flow phenomena, e.g. the turbulent boundary layer that develops on the rotor blades and stator vanes. Both components must be mitigated to yield acceptable passenger comfort and environmental impact. Better models must therefore be developed in order to support the emergence of novel sound mitigation concepts. Both modelling and control aspects will be addressed in the project. The targeted fields of application include HVAC systems for automotive, building and other sectors.


The PhD will be mainly based at the VKI under supervision by Prof. Christophe Schram, and several secondments are foreseen at partner institutions of the SmartAnswer network: at Valeo (France), KTH (Sweden), PSA (France) and CETIAT (France).


The multidisciplinary topics addressed in SmartAnswer are scientifically challenging and of high technological and economical relevance, promising interesting career perspectives in academic and multi-sectorial industrial environments.


The potential candidate must have a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics or a corresponding degree. Basic knowledge in acoustics or fluid mechanics is required. Knowledge in aeroacoustics is a significant asset. The applicant should have a good level in English, both written and spoken.


The SmartAnswer partners do strictly adhere to the ethical standards of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter). Female scientists are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants must satisfy some eligibility rules, in particular in terms of transnational mobility (http://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions). A strict equal opportunity, gender-neutral and internationally comparable recruitment procedure is implemented.

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QB50 Engineering Internship summer/autumn 2016

The VKI is looking for an intern to support an upcoming project in the domain of CubeSats and inter-satellite telecommunications. 

Two major topics will be covered: thermomechanical design and mission analysis

Thermomechanical design
Your main responsibilities will include:

  • support the development of a thermal and mechanical model of a cubesat of size 6-12 units
  • execution of FEM analysis
  • definition of payload requirements and trade-off studies

Required and desirable skills:

  • fluency in English, spoken and written, is mandatory.
  • Previous experiences or knowledge in the following domains are an asset:
    o    CAD design (ideally CATIA)
    o    FEM modeling, meshing and analysis
    o    Thermal design (ideally ESATAN)
    o    Small satellites and CubeSats

Mission Analysis
Your main responsibilities will include:

  • Definition of mission requirements and operational envelope for a payload
  • General design of small satellites missions
  • Simulations and studies on small satellites constellation missions

Required and desirable skills:

  • fluency in English, spoken and written, is mandatory.
  • Previous experiences or knowledges in the following domains are desirable: 
    o   AGI’s Satellite Tool Kit
    o    Matlab or C/C++ programming skills
    o    Basic knowledge of orbital dynamics and attitude control
    o    Basic knowledge of satellite communication systems
    o    Small satellites and CubeSats


How to apply: Please submit your application via our portal:
https://www.vki.ac.be/index.php/education-mainmenu-53/stagiaire-program-mainmenu-60
go to www.vki.ac.be then academics then short training then application) and highlight your submission to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Please indicate if you wish to write your final year thesis while being at VKI.

QB50 Outreach Internship autumn/winter 2016

The VKI is looking for an intern to support the QB50 outreach activities during the launch period from autumn 2016 until the end of the year.

As we are moving towards the launch, QB50’s communication activities will need your support. We want to make the QB50 mission known and ensure that its educational objectives are being achieved. This will be your challenge.

Your duties include:
•    Draft a communication strategy
•    Maintain QB50 website and Twitter tweet
•    Design other communication means such as posters
•    Creation and maintenance of stakeholder contact database
•    Creation and maintenance of a media database (photo, video etc) of QB50’s activities and for each team
•    Support to event planning and execution
•    Relationship management

You are a student in communications, art or in a related field and have a strong interest in space, education and public communications. You are proficient in English and French. Knowledge of a third language is an asset.

How to apply: Please submit your application via our portal:
https://www.vki.ac.be/index.php/education-mainmenu-53/stagiaire-program-mainmenu-60
(go to www.vki.ac.be then academics then short training then application)
and highlight your submission to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Please indicate if you wish to write your final year thesis while being at VKI.