Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time, 11-month fixed term position as a Postdoctoral Researcher to be based in Mechanical Engineering at the National University of Ireland, Galway. This position is funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and Siemens Energy through the €3.3M Sustainable Energy and Fuel Efficiency (SEFE) spoke in the MaREI, the SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and marine,
http://www.marei.ie/) and is available from 1 September 2021.
MaREI has over 200 researchers working across 10 academic institutions collaborating with over 45 industry partners to tackle the scientific, technical, and socio-economic challenges across the marine and renewable energy sectors. NUI Galway leads the SEFE spoke at MaREI, which aims to support Ireland’s and Europe’s transition to sustainable and renewable energy through the development of new processes, technologies, and markets. Siemens is a recognised global leader in clean energy technology. Siemens Energy gas turbine engineers in Canada will work closely with the successful candidate. The successful candidate will develop a numerical method to predict NOx emissions from gas turbine combustors using CFD simulations, chemical reactor networks (CRNs) and uncertainty quantification (UQ). This work will build on existing efforts (see Ref 1, Ref 2, Ref 3) to use detailed chemical kinetic mechanisms to predict NO and NO2 emissions and formation pathways in gas turbines. The successful candidate will be primarily based with Dr Rory Monaghan’s research group at NUI Galway, with frequent interactions with Siemens Energy and other international academic partners.
Job Description:
The successful candidate will conduct the following activities that are central to the project:
1. Comparison of detailed kinetic mechanisms and reduced/optimised kinetic mechanisms for up to five C1–C5 mixtures at engine-relevant conditions.
2. Further development of Python-based CRN models and UQ methods for benchmark combustion systems.
3. Simulation of NOx emission using hybrid CFD-CRN approach
4. NOx pathway study for premixed turbulent jet flames, and jet in crossflow like systems, in which secondary fuel-air jets are injected into a hot exhaust gas flow produced in a first stage.
5. Final report on the toolchain.
Duties:
In addition to the tasks listed above, the successful candidate will:
1. Be primarily responsible for project management and communications with project partners.
2. Prepare abstracts, manuscripts, and presentations for dissemination of the work in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals, and international conferences.
3. Assist in the operation of the research group by assisting in the following: (i) PhD student supervision, (ii) day-to-day management, and (iii) writing research funding applications.
4. Develop their teaching skills by contributing to lectures and undergraduate project supervision.
5. Work with high degrees of independence and dedication to ensure the successful completion of the work.
Qualifications/Skills required:
Essential Requirements: (i.e criteria for shortlisting)
• Hold a PhD degree in Engineering.
• Have a strong publication record as a senior author in peer-reviewed journal papers.
• Have demonstrable experience with chemical kinetic modelling using software such as Cantera, Chemkin, OpenSMOKE, etc.
• Have demonstrable experience with the Python coding language.
• Have experience of advanced use of CFD software, including large eddy simulations, user-defined functions, high-performance computing, turbulence-chemistry interactions, open-source and/or in-house software.
• Have excellent written and spoken English communication skills.
Desirable Requirements: (i.e criteria for shortlisting)
• Have experience in writing research funding applications.
• Have experience in helping to supervise undergraduate and/or postgraduate projects.
Salary: €38,632.00 per annum pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contract (public sector pay policy rules pertaining to new entrants will apply).
Start date: Position is available from the 1st of September 2021
Further information on research and working at NUI Galway is available on Research at NUI Galway Researchers at NUI Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. NUI Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia. Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment - see
www.nuigalway.ie/rdc for further information.
For information on moving to Ireland please see
www.euraxess.ie Further information about the research partners is available at the links given above. Informal enquiries concerning the post may be made to Dr Rory Monaghan at NUI Galway (
[email protected]).
To Apply:
Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Dr Rory Monaghan (
[email protected]).
Please put reference number NUIG RES 125-21 in subject line of e-mail application.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm Thursday 1st July 2021
Due to the University closure related to COVID-19, interviews may have to take place virtually and start dates may need to be delayed
NUI Galway reserve the right to readvertise or extend the closing date for this post.
All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment
National University of Ireland, Galway is an equal opportunities employer.
