PhD Fellowship in Surrogate Modelling of Fluid Flows using Deep Learning

9th April 2026
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English

• Norsk Bokmål
• English

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PhD Fellowship in Surrogate Modelling of Fluid Flows using Deep Learning
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Job description

The University of Stavanger invites applicants for a PhD Fellowship in Surrogate Modelling of Fluid Flows using Deep Learning at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering and Materials Science. The position is vacant from August 2026.

This is a trainee position that will give promising researchers an opportunity for academic development through a PhD education leading to a doctoral degree.

The hired candidate will be admitted to the PhD program in Science and Technology. The education includes relevant courses amounting to about six months of study, a dissertation based on independent research, participation in national and international research environments, relevant academic communication, a trial lecture and public defence. Read more about the PhD education at UiS on our website.

The appointment is for three years with research duties exclusively.

A career plan will be prepared that specifies the competencies that the Research Fellow will acquire. Access to career guidance will be provided throughout the doctoral education.

Research topic

The research topic for the PhD Fellowship is surrogate modelling of fluid flows using deep learning. We aim to develop new techniques based on deep learning to accelerate the prediction of relevant fluid flows in engineering, and to explore new ways of using simulation in engineering contexts.

Traditional models to predict fluid flows can take hours or even days to complete, which makes them impractical for design iterations or optimization of different concepts in industrial settings. Recent work in our group have shown that using deep learning can reduce the simulation time down to seconds, enabling real-time use. Faster simulation times can significantly increase the usability of simulation tools for engineers.

The candidate will develop an independent research profile within this framework. Possible directions include:

• improvement of deep-learning surrogate models for fluid flow
• integration of surrogate models into optimization and design workflows
• uncertainty quantification, reliability assessment, and robustness of surrogate predictions 
• investigation of explainability and physical consistency in scientific machine learning models
• expansion of the application areas of such models through data set generation and testing of models

In our group we have already made contributions in this field across a varied set of applications, including wind engineering, sports aerodynamics, multiphase flows and consequence modelling. The candidate will have access to high-performance computing resources and established industrial collaborations. We seek applicants with strong analytical skills, background in computational fluid dynamics and/or machine learning, and a genuine interest in advancing reliable scientific machine learning for engineering applications.

Qualification requirements

We are looking for applicants with a strong academic background who have completed a five-year master degree within relevant fields such as mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer science, data science, applied mathematics or computational physics, preferably acquired recently; or who possess corresponding qualifications that could provide a basis for successfully completing a doctorate.

To be eligible for admission to the doctoral programmes at the University of Stavanger both the grade for your master’s thesis and the weighted average grade of your master’s degree must individually be equivalent to or better than a B grade. If you finish your education (masters degree) in the spring of 2026 you are also welcome to apply.

Applicants with an education from an institution with a different grade scale than A-F, and/or with other types of credits than sp/ECTS, must attach a confirmed conversion scale that shows how the grades can be compared with the Norwegian A-F scale and a Diploma Supplement or similar that explains the scope of the subjects that are included in the education. You can use these conversion scales  to calculate your points for admission.

You should be able to demonstrate:

• Solid knowledge of computational fluid dynamics 
• Strong programming skills in scientific computing (Python and/or C++)
• Experience with modern machine learning workflows, preferably using frameworks such as PyTorch and JAX
• Familiarity with scientific machine learning approaches for physics-based modelling, using frameworks such as PhysicsNeMo

You should also have experience with:

• simulation of complex geometries, turbulence modelling and engineering-relevant flow problems
• high-performance computing or GPU acceleration
• uncertainty quantification, optimization, or reduced-order modelling
• open-source CFD tools such as OpenFOAM

Emphasis is also placed on your:

• motivation and potential for research within the field
• professional and personal skills for completing the doctoral degree within the timeframe
• ability to work independently and in a team, be innovative and creative
• ability to work structured and handle a heavy workload
• having a good command of both oral and written English

via Unsplash
Requirements for competence in English

A good proficiency in English is required for anyone attending the PhD program. International applicants must document this with a valid test certificate from one of the following tests:

• TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (IBT). Minimum result: 90
• IELTS – International English Language Testing Service. Minimum result: 6.5
• Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from the University of Cambridge
• PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic. Minimum result: 62

The following applicants are exempt from the above requirements:

• Applicants with one year of completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, USA
• Applicants with a completed master's degrees taught in English in a EU/EEA country
• Applicants who are exempt based on HK-dir's GSU list

We offer

• a PhD education in a large, exciting and societally important organisation
• an ambitious work community which is developing rapidly. We strive to include employees at all levels in strategic decisions and promote an informal atmosphere with a flat organisational structure.
• free Norwegian language courses if you do not have proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish at level A2 at the time of employment.
• access to Lifekeys , a digital service for the preservation of personal mental health and well-being
• salary in accordance with the State Salary Scale, l.pl 17.515, code 1017, NOK 550 800 gross per year with salary development according to seniority in the position. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• automatic membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund , which provides favourable insurance- and retirement benefits
• favourable membership terms at a gym and at the SIS sports club at campus
• employment with an Inclusive Workplace organisation which is committed to reducing sick leave, increasing the proportion of employees with reduced working capacity, and increasing the number of professionally active seniors
• "Hjem-jobb-hjem" discounted public transport to and from work
• as an employee in Norway, you will have access to an optimal health service, as well as good pensions, generous maternity/paternity leave, and a competitive salary. Nursery places are guaranteed and reasonably priced
• relocation programme  

Diversity

Diversity is a resource in the working and learning environment at UiS. When we have different backgrounds and experiences, we can approach challenges from multiple perspectives and find better solutions. At UiS, we are committed to showing respect for each other's differences and accommodating employees with disabilities. We take into consideration your needs and your situation in various life phases.

If you find this position interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, disability, cultural background, or whether you have been out of the workforce for a period.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in their CV, or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these groups for an interview. If you fall into any of these categories, feel free to indicate it when applying for the position. Learn more about the criteria for being considered an applicant in these specific groups here .

The university aims to recruit more women within the subject area. If several applicants are considered to have equal qualifications, female applicants will be given priority.

Application

To apply for this position please follow the link "Apply for this job". Your application letter, relevant education and work experience as well as language skills must be registered here. In your application letter, you must state your research interests and motivation for the position.

The following documents must be uploaded as attachments to your application:

• CV with a full summary of your education and experience
• references, certificates/diplomas and other documentation that you consider relevant
• Diploma Supplement or similar and a confirmed conversion scale if this is required
• documentation on competence in English if this is required
• publications or other relevant research work

Applications are evaluated based on the information available in Jobbnorge at the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above and that you have attached the necessary documentation. 

The documentation must be available in either a Scandinavian language or in English. If the total size of the attachments exceeds 100 MB, they must be compressed before upload.

Please note that information on applicants may be published even if the applicant has requested not to be included in the official list of applicants - see Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act . If your request is not granted, you will be notified.

UiS only considers applications and attachments registered in Jobbnorge.

General information

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. 

Employment as PhD Fellow is regulated in Regulations to the Universities and Colleges Act, chapter IV . Admission to the doctoral program is regulated in Regulations for the PhD degree at UiS.

Your qualifications for the position, based on documentation registered in Jobbnorge, will be assessed by an internal expert committee. Based on the committee's statement, relevant applicants will be invited to an interview before any recommendations are made. References will also be obtained for relevant candidates. More about the hiring process on our website.

The appointee will be based at the University of Stavanger. 

It is a prerequisite that you have a residence which enables you to be present at, and available to the academic community during ordinary working hours.

The position has been announced in both Norwegian and English. In the case of differences of meaning between the texts, the Norwegian text takes precedence.

Morten Berentsen via Unsplash Morten Berentsen
UiS - challenge the well-known and explore the unknown

The University of Stavanger (UiS) has about 12,000 students and 2,200 employees. The university has high ambitions. We strive to have an innovative and international profile, and be a driving force in knowledge development and in the process of societal change. Our common direction is driven by consideration for green and sustainable change and equitable social development, through new ways of managing natural resources and facilitating better cities and local communities. Energy, health and welfare, learning for life are our focus areas.
In constant collaboration and dialogue with our surroundings, regionally, nationally and internationally, we enjoy an open and creative climate for education, research, innovation, dissemination and museum activities. Academic life at the University of Stavanger is organised into six faculties comprising various departments/schools and National Research Centres, as well as the Museum of Archaeology. We are a member of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities. The university is located in the most attractive region in the country with more than 300,000 inhabitants. The Stavanger region has a dynamic labour market and exciting cultural and leisure activities.
Together with our staff and students we will challenge the well-known and explore the unknown.

The Faculty of Science and Technology offers degree programmes at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The faculty has strong ties to both research institutions and industry. Nearly 40% of its budget is externally funded. Our students have close contact with the business sector, and many master’s and doctoral theses are written in collaboration with industry. The faculty has established research collaborations with universities around the world and includes several academic environments that are internationally leading. The faculty has approximately 3,000 students and around 500 employees, distributed across the faculty administration and six departments: the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; the Department of Mechanical, Structural and Materials Engineering; the Department of Mathematics and Physics; the Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering; the Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering; and the Department of Safety, Economics and Planning.

The Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering and Materials Science offers education and conducts research in offshore technology, marine and subsea technology, offshore wind, industrial technology and operations management, civil and structural engineering, mechanical engineering, and materials engineering. The department offers programmes at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The department has a strong international profile, with staff and students from all over the world.

Questions about the position

Knut Erik T. Giljarhus

Professor

+47 51831191

knut.e.giljarhus@uis.no

Rosa Cam Andrade

HR-rådgiver / HR advisor

+4751831191

rosa.c.andrade@uis.no

Apply for this job
Deadline

9th April 2026

Employer

University of Stavanger

Municipality

Stavanger

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Fixed Term

Place of service
Ullandhaug, 4021 Stavanger

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