PhD position: A ferrohydrodynamic pump based magnetic refrigerator

Job description

Job description

Space heating and cooling demand is expected to rise rapidly in the coming decades. Magnetocaloric refrigeration offers the possibility to meet these demand in an energy efficient and eco-friendly manner.

We are looking for passionate, creative, and talented  individuals who would like to push the boundaries in developing a room temperature Magnetocaloric Refrigerator (MR) system. In this project, you will develop a unique MR  which uses a magnetic liquid as a heat transfer fluid, unlike water or water-alcohol mixtures in the existing systems. For its circulation, you will adapt the patent-pending magnetic pump developed in our lab and integrate it to the MR. You will analyze the interactions between heat transfer fluid and the magnetic fields and utilize this knowledge to enhance the magnetic pump performance. You will leverage this to optimize fluid flow and develop a MR system. For these activities, you utilize experimental and numerical approaches. By integrating diverse fields such as fluid mechanics, heat transfer, material science, and magnetism, you have the creative freedom to make an meaningful impact in realizing a reliable and efficient MR system.

Your profile

• A Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related discipline.
• Interest and ability to learn the inter-disciplinary aspects of the project pertaining to material science and magnetism.
• Strong background in experimental development of heat transfer systems.
• Complimentary experience in numerical modeling is highly preferred.
• You have excellent communication skills and are proficient in English, both spoken and written.

Our offer

• Full-time 4-year PhD position with competitive salaries and excellent benefits, including a pension scheme.
• A dynamic research environment.
• Comprehensive mentorship from experienced researchers and academics.
• An opportunity to make significant contributions to the magnetocaloric refrigeration field which holds promise for energy efficient and eco-friendly cooling/heating.
• A starting salary of €2.770,- gross per month in the first year and increasing to €3.539,- gross per month in the fourth year.
• An annual holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, and an annual year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• A solid pension scheme.
• Minimum of 29 leave days in case of full-time employment.
• We provide excellent mentorship and a stimulating research environment to accelerate your further professional and personal growth.
• The University of Twente is situated on a green and lively campus with lots of facilities for sports and other activities.

Information and application

To apply, please submit the following documents before the application deadline of January 5 2024:

• Curriculum Vitae (including contact information for at least two academic references).
• Title and abstract of your Master's project/thesis.
• A one-page motivation letter tailored for the job description. Avoid sending generic motivation letters.
• Transcript of records from your Bachelor and Master's programs.

For more information, please contact Dr. Ir. Keerthivasan Rajamani at k.rajamani@utwente.nl

The first round of interviews would be scheduled in the last week of January 2024. A possible second round of interviews will be scheduled when needed. We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you to our team.

About the organisation

The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. We enable society and industry to innovate and create value using efficient, solid and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first' university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading center for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to about 2,900 Bachelor's and Master's students, 550 employees and 150 PhD candidates. Our educational and research programmes are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.