With cutting-edge research in the fields of ENERGY, HEALTH and MATTER, around 1,500 employees from more than 70 nations at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) are committed to mastering the great challenges facing society today.
The Institute of Fluid Dynamics is conducting basic and applied research in the fields of thermo-fluid dynamics and magnetohydrodynamics in order to improve the sustainability, the energy efficiency and the safety of industrial processes.
The Department of Thermal Energy and Process Technology is looking for a
PhD Student (f/m/d) Dynamic Modeling and Experimental Analysis of Supercritical CO2 Brayton Cycles in Waste Heat Recovery.
Tasks
- Characterization of dynamic load profiles of carbon-intensive waste heat recovery and power generation processes
- Literature review of the state of the art in the field of dynamic operation of sCO2 cycles
- Development and carrying out of an experimental matrix for a comprehensive study on steady-state and dynamic load behavior of sCO2 cycles using the CARBOSOLA test facility
- Development of a dynamic model of a sCO2 Brayton cycle based on literature and experimental results
- Simulation and optimization of the operating behavior of flexible energy systems with integrated sCO2 cycles, including control and operating strategies
- Estimation of economic benefits of various potential control and operating strategies of sCO2 Brayton cycles via techno-economic analyses (TEA)
- Contributions to the design recommendations and control strategies for modular sCO2 cycles for broader implementation and economies of scale
- Scientific documentation and communication of results in the form of conference contributions and journal publications
Requirements
- Completed university studies (Master/Diploma) in the field of Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field
- Solid knowledge of thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer phenomena, process engineering, and process technology
- Solid knowledge in process control theory (e.g., model predictive control, fuzzy control, etc.)
- Willingness to work on numerical and experimental tasks
- Excellent teamwork and communication skills in an interdisciplinary and international research environment
- Motivation and self-discipline to carry out research independently
- Excellent command of English (spoken and written)
- Proficient programming skills (e.g., MATLAB, SIMULINK, Python, Dymola/Modelica) or other common process simulators
What we offer
- A vibrant research community in an open, diverse and international work environment
- Scientific excellence and extensive professional networking opportunities
- A structured PhD program with a comprehensive range of continuing education and networking opportunities - more information about the PhD program at the HZDR
- Salary and social benefits in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund) including 30 days of paid holiday leave, company pension scheme (VBL)
- Depending on the personal qualifications, the candidate may be classified in salary group 13 according to TVöD-Bund
- We support a good work-life balance with the possibility of part-time employment, mobile working and flexible working hours
- Numerous company health management offerings
- Employee discounts with well-known providers via the platform Corporate Benefits
- An employer subsidy for the "Deutschland-Ticket Jobticket"
How to apply
We look forward to receiving your application documents (including cover letter, CV, diplomas/transcripts, etc.), which you can submit via our online-application-system: https://www.hzdr.de/db/!ContMan.Export.Pdf?pNid=no&pOid=78974&pContLang=en
Facts
- Number of employees
- 1.500
- Category
- PhD student
- Job location
- Germany, Saxony, Dresden
- Area of responsibility
- Academia and research, Engineering, Mechanical engineering, Research
- Start date (earliest)
- 01.01.2027
- Duration
- 3 years
- Full/Part-time
- 75 %
- Remuneration
- TVöD Bund
- Remote work
- Partially possible
- Working language and expected level
-
- English (Fluent in speech and writing)
- German (Very good command of the language)
- Homepage
- https://www.hzdr.de
Requirements
- Field of study
- Engineering, Mechanical engineering
Apply
- Application deadline
- 06.11.2026
- Reference number
- 2026/129
- Application documents
-
cover letter, CV, diplomas/transcripts, etc.
- Online
- https://www.hzdr.de/db/!ContMan.Expor...