EUROPE: 12 PhD positions in the MSCA Doctoral Network SurPhase

Offer Description

EUROPE: 12 PhD positions in the MSCA Doctoral Network SurPhase

Grant Agreement No. 101311533

Efficient boiling and condensation are fundamental to thermal management in refrigeration, air conditioning, electronics cooling and energy systems. The transition towards low Global Warming Potential refrigerants is essential for reducing environmental impact, but these fluids introduce new challenges associated with altered wetting behaviour, nucleation, liquid and vapour transport, dryout and flooding.

SurPhase, coordinated by the University of Birmingham, has been established to address these challenges. The Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions Doctoral Network brings together complementary expertise in surface engineering, phase change heat transfer, additive manufacturing, advanced experimental characterisation, multiscale numerical modelling, artificial intelligence, durability and sustainability.

Embedded in an international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral research environment, SurPhase will train 12 Doctoral Candidates through individual research projects, network wide scientific and transferable skills training, and extensive academic and industrial secondments. The programme links experimental studies of boiling and condensation with engineered surfaces, Molecular Dynamics, Computational Fluid Dynamics, AI assisted design and long term performance assessment.

SurPhase brings together four academic beneficiaries: the University of Birmingham, Sabancı University, Norwegian University of Science and Technology and University of Padova, supported by Ericsson, Arçelik, Fraunhofer IFAM, ANSYS and Hexxcell.

• DC1 @ Sabancı University, Türkiye – Prof. Ali Koşar
  Multiscale mixed wettability surfaces for enhanced flow boiling of low GWP refrigerants
  Design and characterise multiscale mixed wettability surfaces for flow boiling of low GWP refrigerants in minichannels. The project will investigate how surface structure, wettability and contact angle hysteresis affect bubble nucleation, microlayer dynamics and contact line motion, and establish correlations with boiling heat transfer coefficient and critical heat flux.
  Application: https://admission.sabanciuniv.edu
• DC2 @ University of Birmingham, United Kingdom – Dr Ali Sadaghiani
  Additive manufactured structured surfaces for flow boiling
  Develop additive manufactured surfaces for flow boiling of low GWP refrigerants and determine how geometry, manufacturing tolerance and roughness affect heat transfer coefficient, critical heat flux, pressure drop and flow stability.
  Application: https://edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_6001/job/10175/?lastSelectedFacet=ORGANIZATIONS&location=Birmingham%252C+West+Midlands%252C+United+Kingdom&locationId=300000726236154&locationLevel=city&mode=location&radius=25&radiusUnit=MI&selectedOrganizationsFacet=300000021058125%253B300000021058167
• DC3 @ University of Padova, Italy – Prof. Simone Mancin
  3D printed porous lattices for capillary assisted flow boiling
  Develop and test 3D printed porous lattices that enhance capillary liquid supply and vapour removal. The project will establish relationships between pore architecture, capillary transport, boiling performance, pressure drop and stability.
  Application: See the specific University of Padova application instructions for DC3, DC6 and DC10 below.
• DC4 @ Sabancı University, Türkiye – Prof. Ali Koşar
  Mixed wettability textures for dropwise flow condensation
  Develop mixed wettability textures that promote dropwise condensation and delay flooding, examining the effects of wettability distribution and pattern geometry on droplet behaviour, heat transfer and flooding onset.
  Application: https://admission.sabanciuniv.edu
• DC5 @ Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway – Prof. Maria Fernandino
  Ribbed and finned microstructured condensers for drainage enhanced flow condensation
  Investigate ribbed and finned microstructured condensers to improve condensate drainage and reduce film coverage, relating geometric parameters to droplet shedding, film breakup, flooding, heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop.
  Application: https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/310693/phd-candidate-in-drainage-enhanced-flow-condensation-in-micro-structured-surfaces
• DC6 @ University of Padova, Italy – Prof. Simone Mancin
  Architected porous condensers for film suppressed flow condensation
  Develop architected porous surfaces for enhanced condensate drainage and suppression of continuous liquid films, examining pore size, void fraction and connectivity through time resolved characterisation.
  Application: See the specific University of Padova application instructions for DC3, DC6 and DC10 below.
• DC7 @ University of Birmingham, United Kingdom – Dr Ali Sadaghiani
  Molecular scale modelling of thin film phase change on engineered surfaces
  Develop Molecular Dynamics models of thin film evaporation and condensation on structured and mixed wettability surfaces and derive interfacial properties and reduced models for integration into continuum simulations.
  Application: https://edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_6001/job/10175/?lastSelectedFacet=ORGANIZATIONS&location=Birmingham%252C+West+Midlands%252C+United+Kingdom&locationId=300000726236154&locationLevel=city&mode=location&radius=25&radiusUnit=MI&selectedOrganizationsFacet=300000021058125%253B300000021058167
• DC8 @ Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway – Prof. Maria Fernandino
  Interface resolved CFD for boiling and condensation on engineered surfaces
  Develop and validate interface resolved CFD workflows for boiling and condensation, integrate molecular scale information, and investigate sensitivity to surface characteristics and operating conditions.
  Application: https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/310799/phd-candidate-in-interface-resolved-cfd-for-boiling-and-condensation-on-engineered-surfaces
• DC9 @ University of Birmingham, United Kingdom – Dr Ali Sadaghiani
  AI assisted optimisation of boiling surface texture and wettability
  Develop uncertainty aware AI models for predicting and optimising boiling surface performance using experimental and computational data, with prospective experimental validation of AI proposed designs.
  Application: https://edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_6001/job/10175/?lastSelectedFacet=ORGANIZATIONS&location=Birmingham%252C+West+Midlands%252C+United+Kingdom&locationId=300000726236154&locationLevel=city&mode=location&radius=25&radiusUnit=MI&selectedOrganizationsFacet=300000021058125%253B300000021058167
• DC10 @ University of Padova, Italy – Prof. Simone Mancin
  AI driven optimisation of condensation surfaces under flooding and pressure drop constraints
  Develop AI methods to predict and optimise heat transfer coefficient, flooding risk and pressure drop for mixed wettability and microstructured condensation surfaces.
  Application: See the specific University of Padova application instructions for DC3, DC6 and DC10 below.
• DC11 @ University of Birmingham, United Kingdom – Dr Ali Sadaghiani
  Durability and environmental performance of phase change enhanced surfaces
  Assess the long term thermal, mechanical and environmental performance of SurPhase engineered surfaces using cycling protocols, degradation analysis and life cycle assessment.
  Application: https://edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_6001/job/10175/?lastSelectedFacet=ORGANIZATIONS&location=Birmingham%252C+West+Midlands%252C+United+Kingdom&locationId=300000726236154&locationLevel=city&mode=location&radius=25&radiusUnit=MI&selectedOrganizationsFacet=300000021058125%253B300000021058167
• DC12 @ Sabancı University, Türkiye – Prof. Ali Koşar
  Predictive maintenance and remaining useful life modelling for engineered surfaces
  Develop predictive models for long term surface performance using experimental, sensor and inspection data to identify degradation, early warning indicators and remaining useful life.
  Application: https://admission.sabanciuniv.edu

Important application information: Each Doctoral Candidate position is formally recruited by its respective host institution. Applicants must apply through the application route indicated for the relevant position.

Applications submitted directly to the SurPhase Coordinator do not constitute a formal application.

How to apply for DC3, DC6 and DC10 – University of Padova

Applicants for DC3, DC6 and DC10 should submit the following documents by email:

• CV;
• copy of a valid ID card or passport; and
• scanned copies of relevant academic qualifications/certificates.

Applications should be sent to: SurPhase.dii@unipd.it

The email subject line should follow the format: DCXX – NAME – SURNAME ---- where XX corresponds to the position applied for (e.g. DC03, DC06 or DC10).

Where to apply

E-mail: a.sadaghiani@bham.ac.uk

Requirements

Research Field

• Engineering » Mechanical engineering — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
• Engineering » Chemical engineering — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
• Engineering » Thermal engineering — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
• Engineering » Materials engineering — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
• Engineering » Simulation engineering — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
• Engineering » Computer engineering — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
• Physics » Thermodynamics — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Applicants should hold, or expect to hold by the date required by the recruiting institution, a Master's degree or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Applied Physics, Computational Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or another discipline relevant to the selected Doctoral Candidate project.

Candidates should have a strong scientific foundation in one or more areas relevant to SurPhase, including heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, multiphase flow, surface and materials science, numerical modelling, computational methods, data analysis or artificial intelligence.

Depending on the selected project, previous experience in experimental heat transfer, advanced imaging, surface engineering, microfabrication, additive manufacturing, CFD, Molecular Dynamics, scientific programming, machine learning or data analysis would be advantageous. Applicants are not expected to have expertise across all these areas.

Candidates should demonstrate strong motivation for interdisciplinary research, ability to work collaboratively in an international environment, and willingness to undertake academic and industrial secondments.

Good written and spoken English is required. Candidates must also satisfy the specific doctoral admission and language requirements of the relevant host institution.

Specific Requirements

• Candidates must satisfy the doctoral admission requirements of the relevant host institution.
• Candidates must meet the MSCA Doctoral Candidate eligibility requirements and mobility rule described below.
• Candidates must be willing to participate in the international and intersectoral research secondments and network wide training activities planned within SurPhase.

Project specific technical requirements and desirable experience are provided in the relevant institutional vacancy announcement.

Languages

ENGLISH
Level: Good

Additional Information

Benefits

Successful candidates will join an international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions Doctoral Network.

SurPhase Doctoral Candidates will be employed for 36 months according to the rules applicable to Doctoral Candidates under the 2025 MSCA Doctoral Networks Work Programme and according to the employment regulations of the relevant recruiting beneficiary.

The financial package includes the applicable MSCA monthly allowances, subject to the country correction coefficient and the employment, taxation and social security arrangements of the relevant host institution:

• Living Allowance: €4,010 per month
• Mobility Allowance: €710 per month
• Family Allowance, where applicable: €660 per month

Additional allowances may apply where eligible under the MSCA rules.

These values should not be interpreted as the candidate's net monthly salary, as applicable employment costs, taxation and social security arrangements depend on the recruiting country and institution.

Doctoral Candidates will participate in the SurPhase network wide training programme and undertake international and intersectoral research secondments across academic and industrial partners.

Each Doctoral Candidate is planned to undertake 9 months of secondments, providing extensive exposure to academic and non academic research environments.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants may be of any nationality.

Applicants must be Doctoral Candidates and must not already hold a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment. Researchers who have successfully defended a doctoral thesis but have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree are not eligible.

Applicants must comply with the MSCA mobility rule. At the time of recruitment by the host organisation, candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity, such as work or studies, in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding their recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.

Applicants must fulfil the doctoral admission requirements of the relevant host institution.

Applicants must be willing and able to undertake the planned international academic and industrial secondments within the SurPhase network.

Selection process

The selection procedure will be open, transparent, impartial and merit based, in accordance with the European Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, applicable MSCA Doctoral Network requirements and the recruitment procedures of the relevant host institution.

Eligibility check: Applications will first be checked for completeness and compliance with the MSCA Doctoral Candidate and mobility requirements and the doctoral admission requirements of the relevant host institution.

Evaluation: Eligible applications will be evaluated against the scientific and technical requirements of the relevant Doctoral Candidate project. Assessment will consider academic background, relevant knowledge and experience, research potential, motivation and suitability for the proposed research.

Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview by the relevant host institution. Interview panels will include supervisors or researchers from other SurPhase academic and/or industrial partners.

Selection and appointment: Selected candidates will complete the formal employment and doctoral admission procedures required by the relevant host institution.

Candidates may apply for more than one SurPhase position. A separate formal application must be submitted through the recruitment system specified for each position where required.

Additional comments

The University of Birmingham is the Coordinator of the SurPhase Doctoral Network. Formal recruitment, employment and doctoral admission are undertaken by the beneficiary hosting each individual Doctoral Candidate. Applicants should therefore consult the individual vacancy announcement and application link associated with the position of interest. Application procedures, required documentation, deadlines and institutional doctoral admission requirements may differ between host institutions. SurPhase is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to providing an open and inclusive research and training environment.

Website for additional job details: https://www.linkedin.com/company/surphase-eu-project

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 4
  Company/Institute: University of Birmingham
  Country: United Kingdom
• Number of offers available: 2
  Company/Institute: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
  Country: Norway
• Number of offers available: 3
  Company/Institute: Sabancı University
  Country: Türkiye
• Number of offers available: 3
  Company/Institute: University of Padova
  Country: Italy

Contact

City: Birmingham
Website: https://www.bham.ac.uk/schools/engineering; https://www.linkedin.com/company/surphase-eu-project
Street: Edgbaston
Postal Code: B15 2TT