PhD in Cryogenic Fluid Cavitation

The PhD project focuses on “Cavitation in Cryogenic Fluids in Microgravity Conditions.” Cavitation—the formation and growth of vapor bubbles in a liquid—poses significant challenges during propellant preconditioning and transfer in the context of spacecraft and space depots. Under microgravity, vapor accumulation affects wall heat transfer, which can compromise the safety and efficiency of propulsion systems and fuel management in space missions.This research is not only fundamental for the advancement of space technologies but also has broader applications in other high-stakes industries such as nuclear power. The project supports the development of the SCREAMH2 microgravity wall cavitation experiment, currently in collaboration with ESA, and seeks to answer open scientific questions about bubble dynamics, phase change, and heat transfer at small scales. The outcomes will inform safer and more efficient designs for future space missions and industrial applications involving cryogenic fluids. Project Details The PhD position is offered in the Space Advanced Concepts Laboratory (SaCLaB) at ISAE-Supaero, under the supervision of Professor Annafederica Urbano (ISAE-Supaero) and Professor Sébastien Tanguy (Université Paul Sabatier, IMFT). The project is funded by CNES and conducted in close collaboration with IMFT (Institut de Mécanique des Fluides de Toulouse). Key aspects of the project include: – Development and extension of a state-of-the-art numerical solver for direct simulation of two-phase flows with phase change, ensuring thermodynamic consistency for generic fluids. – Numerical modeling of cavitation phenomena, including the effects of contact lines, wall roughness, cavity shape, and fluid composition (including non-condensable gases). – Validation and application of the models to support the SCREAMH2 experiment and to study a wide range of configurations relevant to space and industrial applications. – Investigation of conjugate heat transfer, Marangoni currents, and surface tension effects in complex geometries and under microgravity conditions. – Extension of the research to related phenomena such as sloshing in tanks and hydrodynamic cavitation. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team and have the opportunity to work with leading experts in aerospace and fluid mechanics, access advanced computational resources, and contribute to high-impact research at the forefront of space science. Candidate Profile Applicants should possess: – A Master of Science (or equivalent) in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related discipline. – Strong background in fluid mechanics, numerical methods for computational fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics. – Experience or keen interest in multiphase flows, phase change modeling, and computational simulation. – Analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and motivation to work on complex scientific challenges. – Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary and international research environment. – Proficiency in English (working language of the lab and international collaborations)