Postdoctoral position within the H2020 programme – AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow, Poland

Field of interest: computational mechanics, or design of high-power targetry

AGH University of Science and Technology, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, invites applications for a postdoctoral position within the H2020 Design Study: ESSnuSB (European Spallation Source Neutrino Super Beam). The successful candidate will work on the numerical analysis related to the design of the target station that constitutes an important part of the ESSnuSB experiment. The candidate is offered the possibility to work on interesting and very challenging computational problems, within a highly competent international environment.

The AGH University of Science and Technology (https://www.agh.edu.pl/en#) ranks among the top Polish universities, both in education and scientific achievement. It has a total staff of 4150: research staff amounts to almost 2000, including 181 full professors and 273 associate professors. The university has 16 faculties, as well as additional inter-faculty units. AGH UST is involved in high-level research in technology and pure science; it is a leader in the field of innovation and the transfer of engineering technology in Poland.

The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics (http://www.imir.agh.edu.pl/en/home/) is one of the largest faculties at the AGH UST. For several years now, it has ranked as the best mechanical engineering faculty in Poland. The faculty’s activities are realized in 9 different divisions, and more than 80 laboratories. The faculty cooperates with established universities and institutions inside the EU, as well as the USA and South America.

The faculty has now an open postdoc position within a H2020 project.
Context: The successful candidate will, in collaboration with other staff members, work on numerical simulations necessary for the design of the target station for the planned physics experiment, aimed at the discovery and measurement of leptonic CP violation, using the European Spallation Linac being now built in Lund, Sweden. The work will be done within an EU-founded Horizon 2020 project (https://essnusb.eu/). The target station consists of targets hit by a high-power proton beam (1.25MW/target), integrated inside magnetic horns used to focus the pions being produced. This creates very challenging mechanical and thermal problems.

Work description: The successful candidate will perform numerical analyses aimed at the assessment of the temperature field and the thermal stress levels inside the target, necessary for the design of the target station. As the baseline design, a granular (packed-bed) target is considered, which consists of spherical pebbles cooled by the flow of helium gas. Therefore, the modelling of both solid spheres and fluid flow will be required.

Prerequisites:

1. a PhD degree in mechanical engineering, computational or applied mechanics, or experimental physics;
2. a capability to perform high-level research in the field of computational mechanics, or experience in the design of targets used in accelerator physics, demonstrated through publications in peer-reviewed international journals and/or at important conferences;
3. good practical skills in performing advanced Finite Element calculations, preferably with the
   Ansys software;
4. the candidate should display interest in performing research in an interdisciplinary field, and
   be ready to interact within an international team;
5. a very good oral and written knowledge of English is required, which will allow the presentation of the results of the work during meetings abroad and in videoconferences, as well as writing notes in English.

The required documents:

1. a CV
2. copies of certificates and diplomas (including PhD diploma)
3. information about the scientific achievements (with a list of publications), rewards and
   relevant experience, with the emphasis on the planned field of activities
4. names and contact details of at least two referees, or two recommendation letters

Type of employment: Fixed-term position for two years
Place of employment: Krakow, Poland
Applications in English or Polish, should be submitted not later than 30.11.2018:

• in paper form: WIMiR, Department of Process Control, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland, with annotation (Postdoc position) or
• by e-mail: Professor Piotr Cupial, pcupial@agh.edu.pl

For further information about this position, please contact:
Professor Piotr Cupiał, pcupial@agh.edu.pl, +48 126175129

In submitting the documents, please indicate that the candidate agrees that the data will be processed, for the sole purpose of this call, in agreement with the Polish Act on the protection of personal data of 10 May, 2018 (Journal of Laws 2018, Item 1000).

The ESSnuSB project has received funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, under grant agreement No 777419.