Today, we are looking for a permanent faculty position in the Aeronautics and 
Aerospace department. Our intention is that the position will be offered at the 
assistant professor rank, but outstanding candidates at the rank of associate 
professor (6 years of recognized professional leadership experience in aerospace 
research) will be considered.

The review of applications will begin on April 1st, 2025; however, applications 
will be accepted until the position is filled.

About the Research topic: The Aeronautics and Aerospace Department is focused, 
in particular, on activities at the edge of aerospace technology and basic 
research in strong collaboration with space and defense agencies as well as 
industrial partners. For more information about our research activities, please 
visit: http://www.vki.ac.be/ar-dept.


Your responsibilities:

Full-time academic position in the field of Numerical Methods for high speed-
flows, covering applied research in Computational Fluid Dynamics for 
aerothermodynamics.

The selected candidate will design and deliver innovative courses, conduct 
research on developing numerical simulation tools and methods in fluid 
mechanics, and on their application to aeronautics and aerospace, including 
verification and validation. Additionally, the candidate will establish a funded 
research program in close partnership with other research units within the 
department.


Areas of particular relevance include:

- Numerical methods for simulation of hypersonic reentry flows and 
aerothermodynamics.
- Development of innovative algorithms for CFD and HPC: higher order methods, 
error estimation, adaptive meshing, uncertainty quantification, parallel 
computing, GPU’s, exascale computing.
- Interdisciplinary CFD: Hypersonics, plasma physics, electric propulsion, 
multi-phase flows, fluid-structure interaction, optimization and design, 
conjugate heat transfer.
- Advanced turbulence modeling for aeronautical and space applications.


Job requirements

- Doctoral degree in aerospace engineering topic with emphasis on high-speed 
flows.
- Minimum 6 years of recognized professional leadership in aerospace research
- Demonstrates strong teaching skills.
- Strong background in applied mathematics, CFD for hypersonic flows and high 
speed turbulence modeling.
- International scientific experience and the ability to pursue a program of 
innovative research.


Benefits:

- Employed by the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics in one of the most 
attractive areas of central Europe in the neighborhood of Brussels.
- Work at the internationally renowned von Karman Institute in a key role 
advancing technologies for future energy systems.
- Work in close collaboration with European and US universities as well as an 
industry network.
- Become part of the VKI network with global access to industry experts and 
academics in the field of fluid dynamics, aerospace, propulsion, and energy 
conversion.
- Experience the unique international workshop character of the VKI working 
environment.
- Access to specialized seminars and lecture series and to world-unique 
facilities


Eligibility Criteria

As the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics maintains an equal opportunities 
and diversity policy, everyone who meets the eligibility criteria below is 
encouraged to apply for this position.

1 meet the requirements for the duties concerned.
2 be a citizen of one of the VKI partner countries (see link): 
https://www.vki.ac.be/index.php/home-v16/eligibility


Von Karman Site Location: Close to Brussels @ Rhode-Saint-Genèse (Flemish-
Brabant)


Contact information: For further information, please contact Professor Olivier 
Chazot (chazot@vki.ac.be).


How to apply?

Applications must contain a CV, motivation letter (including a statement of 
research vision and teaching interests), publication list, contact information 
of two referees, copy of the Degree and Master title. CV must clearly indicate 
the exact dates of (1) each position held in the past, and (2) countries of 
residence in the last 5 years.

Important: do NOT send your application by email but apply online through our 
website.


About the organisation

For 65 years as an international centre of excellence in fluid dynamics, the von 
Karman Institute (VKI) brings together young engineers and scientists from all 
over the world to study, improve their skills and perform their research.

“A scientist studies what is, whereas an engineer creates what never was “ 
Théodore von Kármán

Besides its mission of education, the von Karman Institute gathers the top-level 
scientists and engineers to work on very challenging projects as the next 
generation of engines, new propulsion concepts, the new green energy, the safety 
of industry, solutions for a cleaner space, the Mission to Mars and many other 
fields of research which can make the difference for the humankind. Those 
scientists have access to more than 50 wind tunnels and test rigs, some of them 
unique in the world to help them in their projects.

VKI is a team of people looking in the same direction, for a better future, not 
only scientists and engineers but also students, PhD candidates, PostDocs, IT, 
Human Resources, accountants, librarians, designers, and technicians and 
more....