Postdoc Position in Parallel Numerical Methods for Time-dependent Topology Optimisation

The Insitute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (SDU-IME) invites applications for a fully funded 24-month position as postdoctoral researcher in parallel numerical methods for time-dependent topology optimisation. The position is expected to start from 1 February 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The application deadline is 1 September 2024 at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST
The Insitute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (SDU-IME) invites applications for a fully funded 24-month position as postdoctoral researcher in parallel numerical methods for time-dependent topology optimisation. The position is expected to start from 1 February 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The application deadline is 1 September 2024 at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST

What we offer
The postdoctoral project is part of the research project “Breaking the time barrier: COmputational Morphogenesis FOR Time-dependent Problems (COMFORT)” funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) through a Sapere Aude Starting Grant. The goal of the project is to reduce the time-to-solution of topology optimisation by at least one order-of-magnitude for time-dependent thermal diffusion and incompressible fluid flow. The leader of the research project is Assc. Prof. Joe Alexandersen.

The postdoctoral project will focus on the development of advanced numerical methods for incompressible fluid flow based on time-parallel methods, space-time formulations and multigrid methods. Your primary focus will be implementation into in-house large-scale computational frameworks using parallel programming, as well as method development through mathematical derivations and numerical analysis. You will be co-supervising a PhD student working on developing similar methods for diffusion problems and assist in implementing the methodology into an in-house parallel code. During the 24-month employment period, you will visit collaborators at Lund University (Sweden) and/or KU Leuven (Belgium) for 1 to 3 months.

What we expect
The position is full-time and in-person only, where you are expected to work primarily on-campus. Foreign candidates are expected to relocate to Denmark for the duration of the employment.

Prior to the 1 January 2025, you must have fully graduated a PhD degree in a relevant discipline (applied/computational mathematics, computational mechanics, mechanical/aerospace engineering, physics, etc.). If you have not received your final diploma by the application date, please include a formal letter from your supervisor clearly stating the expected dates for both thesis completion and defense/viva.

You are required to have experience with the following:

• Theory and implementation of numerical methods (FDM/FVM/FEM) in code
• Programming in C/C++ (or similar, e.g. Fortran)
• Parallel programming using MPI

Furthermore, you should have experience with three or more of the following:

• Galerkin finite element methods
• Iterative linear solvers and preconditioners
• The PETSc library
• Multigrid methods
• Space-time methods
• Mathematical analysis
• Optimisation theory or topology optimisation

The working language of the MSO group is English, so you will be expected to have a documented working level of written and spoken English.

You will be expected to contribute to the teaching activities of the department through acting as teaching assistant, exercise instructor, and/or co-supervisor of students. Contributing to teaching of courses might be relevant depending on experience and conditions.

Workplace description
You will join the ‘Multiphysics Simulation and Optimisation’ (MSO) research group lead by Assc. Prof. Joe Alexandersen at SDU Mechanical Engineering (SDU-ME) in Odense. The research of the MSO group is focused on development of advanced simulation and optimisation methods for multiphysics, fluid flow and conjugate heat transfer problems, but also covers thermomechanical process simulations such as casting and welding. The research activities at SDU-ME spans widely from fluid mechanics, condition monitoring, machine learning, fatigue, maritime structures, to multiphysics simulation and optimisation. SDU-ME is part of the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, which is a multidisciplinary department covering high-frequency electronics, super-capacitors, additive manufacturing, and energy technologies, in addition to the aforementioned. The department is an exciting environment, where you will be exposed to many different fields and have your general academic curiosity stimulated.

Further information
Further information about this position is available from Associate Professor Joe Alexandersen, phone: +45 9350 7244, email: [email protected], or Head of SDU Mechanical Engineering Dorte Smedegaard Schmidt, phone: +45 6550 7432, email: [email protected].

If you experience technical problems, please contact [email protected].

Conditions of employment
Appointment as postdoctoral researcher is temporary and for an initial 24-month period. Depending on the candidate’s performance and available funding, a contract extension might be possible.

The preferred starting date is 1 February or soon thereafter.

Employment as a postdoc requires scientific qualifications at PhD level at the time of employment.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on salary and taxation.

Assessment and selection process
Read about the Assessment and selection process.

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied. Only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU.

Interviews and tests may be part of the process.

Application procedure
Before applying the candidates are expected to read the SDU information on how to apply and specific faculty information for application at the Faculty of Engineering.
The application shall include the following documents in English:

• Motivation letter stating your specific interest, motivation, and qualifications for the project in question (max. 2 pages).
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae, describing research, publication and teaching experience, computational skills and including personal contact information.
• Verified copy of the official Master's diploma and transcripts of exams, both the original documents and in professional English translation.
• Verified copy of the official PhD degree diploma, both the original documents and in professional English translation – OR – statement from main supervisor and/or university that you have successfully defended your PhD thesis
• Complete list of publications.
• A selection of up to 5 publications most relevant for the position. Please attach as one PDF-file for each publication (only full text publications (i.e. no links) can form the basis for assessment of the application).
• Documentation of other qualifications with relevance to the position.

The application may also include:

• Reference letters/References.

UPLOAD GUIDE: Motivated letter shall be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’, Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded as ‘Resume’. All other documents shall be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’.

The application deadline is 1 September 2024 at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST)

Formalities

• According to the University of Southern Denmark’s internal guidelines, there must be at least three qualified applicants to an academic position before it can be filled.
• Documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.
• The application and CV must not exceed 10 MB.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.

Placering: Odense, Denmark