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City:  Kaiserslautern
Date:  Jul 3, 2026

Ph.D. Candidate »Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Cavitation Phenomena«

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (www.fraunhofer.com) is one of the world's leading organizations for application-oriented research. 74 institutes develop pioneering technologies for our economy and society – more precisely: 30 000 people from technology, science, administration and IT. They know: Anyone who comes to Fraunhofer wants to and can make a difference. For themselves, for us and for the markets of today and tomorrow.

The »Grid-Free Methods« department at the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM focuses on the modelling and efficient simulation of complex industrial problems for the design and optimisation of technical processes and products. The exciting range of applications for our collaborative software development project, MESHFREE, is presented here.

 

As part of a collaborative doctoral project, cavitation will be investigated both experimentally and via computer simulation. This doctoral project is a joint initiative between the Fraunhofer ITWM »Grid-Free Methods« Department and the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering at RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau »Laboratory of Reaction and Fluid Process Engineering«.

 

The work involves simulating cavitation at three model levels, ranging from single-phase descriptions and population balances to detailed two-phase simulations of individual bubbles. All models are implemented in the Fraunhofer ITWM’s MESHFREE software. These models are to be validated and calibrated through targeted experiments in the flow laboratory. The primary goal of the doctoral research is to achieve true predictive power of the simulation with regard to cavitation. We are seeking candidates with a passion for fluid mechanics, laboratory work, and CFD, as well as a willingness to work at the interface between simulation and experimentation.

 

Be part of change

  • Development and implementation of simulation models for cavitation at multiple model levels in the MESHFREE software at Fraunhofer ITWM
  • Investigation of experimental cavitation effects in the flow laboratory and use of the results to validate simulation models
  • Work at the interdisciplinary interface of numerical methods, fluid mechanics, and experimentation

 

What you contribute

  • A master’s degree in computational mechanics, mechanical engineering, applied mathematics, or computer science
  • Initial practical experience with phase transitions (temperature- or pressure-dependent) or similar phenomena
  • Programming skills, ideally in Python, C++, or Fortran
  • The ability to work independently and creatively
  • Very good German or English language skills

 

What we offer

  • Exciting projects in a dedicated, international team of scientists fully committed to applied research
  • Opportunities to contribute your own ideas and take initiative
  • Close mentoring and constructive feedback
  • A modern, dynamic, and exciting work environment with short decision-making paths and a flat hierarchy

 

We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications – regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability. Our tasks are diverse and adaptable – for applicants with disabilities, we work together to find solutions that best promote their abilities. 

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future. 

Ready for a change? Then apply now and make a difference! Once we have received your online application, you will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt. We will then get back to you as soon as possible and let you know what happens next.

 

If you have any questions regarding the position, please feel free to contact:

Chaitanya Sanghavi - chaitanya.sanghavi@itwm.fraunhofer.de

For questions about the application and application process:

Noelle Keil - noelle.keil@itwm.fraunhofer.de

Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM 

www.itwm.fraunhofer.de 

 

Requisition Number: 84860               

 


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