University professor; WM

Organisation/Company Opole University of Technology Department Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Research Field Engineering Researcher Profile Established Researcher (R3) Positions Postdoc Positions Country Poland Final date to receive applications 19 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

The research position focuses on the development, advancement, and application of advanced CFD models describing the thermochemical conversion processes of biomass and waste-derived fuels, including combustion, pyrolysis, torrefaction, and gasification. The successful candidate will participate in numerical and experimental studies aimed at a detailed understanding of the physical, chemical, and flow phenomena occurring in three key research systems: a small-scale biomass combustion boiler with flue gas recirculation, a laboratory tube reactor for pyrolysis studies, including torrefaction, and a hybrid reactor for biomass gasification.

The project involves interdisciplinary research combining energy engineering, environmental sciences, and computational modelling and chemical engineering. The researcher will be responsible for designing and developing three-dimensional CFD models (including flow, turbulence, radiation, and chemical reactions), preparing geometries and computational meshes, implementing kinetic sub-models (e.g., via UDFs or tools such as CHEMKIN/Cantera), and performing full model validation using experimental data (TG/TG-MS, gas composition analyses, temperature distribution measurements, and emission data).

In addition to numerical work, the candidate will contribute to the analysis of experimental results and their integration with CFD models to improve simulation accuracy and predictive capabilities. The scope of responsibilities also includes developing optimization procedures for the operation of the modelled systems, including assessments of energy efficiency, reaction pathways, flow behaviour, and pollutant emissions.

Experience in interdisciplinary collaboration will be a significant advantage, as the position requires close cooperation with teams conducting experimental, analytical, and process studies. The candidate is also expected to demonstrate strong skills in scientific writing, preparing research reports, and presenting results at national and international conferences.

Additional assets include experience in developing or applying advanced reaction models for biomass pyrolysis, torrefaction, gasification, and oxidation, as well as familiarity with analytical methods used for model verification (e.g., uncertainty analysis).

Sub research field: CFD Modelling of Biomass Combustion, Pyrolysis, Torrefaction and Gasification

• At least a doctoral degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, energy engineering, environmental engineering, or related technical disciplines.
• Proven experience in CFD modelling of thermochemical biomass conversion processes (combustion, pyrolysis, torrefaction, gasification), using ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM or equivalent software.
• Experience with kinetic modelling of solid fuels and gas-phase reactions (e.g., CHEMKIN, Cantera, UDF in C/C++) – preferred.
• Experience in working with experimental data used for model validation (TG/TG-MS, gas composition analysis, temperature distribution, emission measurements) – highly desirable.
• Research or research-and-teaching experience as an academic staff member at a foreign university – preferred.
• Experience in scientific collaboration with recognised research institutions or industrial R&D partners – preferred.

Publishing record (minimum one Q1 publication) classified within the research area of Energy Science & Engineering or Environmental Science & Engineering in the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS).

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Selection process

Required documents (to be submitted by Final date to receive applications):

1) application -…