Postdoctoral Position in Mesoscale Fluid Simulations and Experimental Validation for Energy Systems

Location:SDU Sønderborg Faculty of Engineering

The Centre for Industrial Mechanics part of the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applications for one or more 2-year postdoc positions within Mesoscale Fluid Simulations and Experimental Validation for Energy Systems. The positions are open from March 1 2026 and the specific start date will be agreed with the successful candidates.

About the Position

Join the SDU Energy Systems Group at the Centre for Industrial Mechanics (CIM) for a 2-year postdoc focused on combining advanced mesoscale fluid simulations such as CFD Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) Pore Network Modelling (PNM) and Molecular Dynamics (MD) with microfluidic experiments. The research targets gas bubble and droplet phenomena relevant to energy conversion storage and CO₂ sequestration. Youll have the freedom to shape your research within our interdisciplinary and international environment.

Your Role

• Develop and apply simulation methods for multiphase and interfacial transport in porous media (e.g. electrodes membranes geological formations)
• Design set up and conduct experiments for model validation and discovery
• Integrate computational and experimental results to advance mechanistic understanding and predictive modelling
• Collaborate with academic and industrial partners
• Mentor and supervise students (PhD MSc BSc) on related research questions
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences
• Contribute to research funding applications and assist with teaching activities as relevant

The project encourages you to define subtopics and develop independent research directions benefiting from a supportive environment.

Your Profile

• You have a PhD in engineering computational science physics or related field
• You bring expertise in at least one of the following:
• You have experience with open-source simulation software (e.g. OpenFOAM Palabos OpenLB OpenPNM LAMMPS or equivalent) and/or experimental design and data analysis
• You demonstrate strong teamwork communication and independent research skills
• You are proficient in English (spoken and written)
• multiscale fluid simulation methods (CFD LBM PNM MD)
• scientific programming (Python C git)
• microfluidic experimentation

Why Join SDU Sønderborg

The SDU Energy Systems Group at CIM is a dynamic recently established research group within the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (IME). As part of a young and growing team and institute you will help shaping research education and innovation in engineering science.

You will have access to state-of-the-art computing and lab facilities and benefit from strong academic and industrial networks across Denmark and Europe. CIM is based at SDUs scenic Sønderborg campus in the Alsion building directly at the waterfront. All study programs are taught in English and more than half of our students and staff are international creating an inspiring environment.

SDU maintains close ties to industry in Sønderborg Southern Denmark and Northern Germany offering direct exposure to real-world challenges and opportunities for cross-sectoral research collaborations. This position offers you the chance to develop your own research ideas contribute to the growth of the group and institute and advance your career in a supportive international setting.

In short you will benefit from:

• Access to state-of-the-art computing and lab facilities
• A dynamic international research environment in a scenic campus setting
• Close ties to industry and opportunities for cross-sectoral collaboration
• Support for developing your own research ideas and career

Contact information

For further information please contact Associate Professor Martin Lautenschläger
(;phone:) or Associate Professor Lars Duggen () and visit you experience technical problems please contact

Application procedure

Applicants are advised to read theSDU information on how to apply.

Assessment of the candidates is based on the application material and an application must include:

• Motivated application.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Masters and PhD degree certificates or equivalent (copy of original/official English translation).
• Complete list of publications.
• Publications most relevant to the position.
• Summary and documentation of experience in teaching if relevant to the position.
• A research statement may be included.
• References/reference letters may also be included.
• A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration no.) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected.

SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application shall be uploaded under Cover letter (max. 5 MB) Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded under Resume (max 5 MB). All other documents shall be uploaded under Miscellaneous documents (max 10 files of max 50 MB per file).

The application deadline isJanuary 15 2026at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST)

Assessment and selection process

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment.Read about shortlisting at and tests may be part of the overall evaluation. Read about theAssessment and selection process.

Conditions of employment

Appointment as postdoc is temporary for an initial 2-year period and the preferred start date is from March 1 2026 but is negotiable also depending on the application process for work- and residence permit. Extension may be possible depending on available funding.

Employment as a postdoc requires scientific qualifications at PhD level at the time of employment. Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state with the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for postdoc as described herein.Further information on salary and person employed in the position may based on a specific individual managerial evaluation be exempted from time registration also known as a self-organizer.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes our staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone regardless of personal background to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies which due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer are subject to a number of security measures. Therefore based on information from open sources background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position.

Further informationfor international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visitWorkinDenmarkfor additional information.

Further informationabout The Faculty of Engineering.