Research Fellow in Engineering (Computational and Experimental Fluid Mechanics)

Post Status: Specific Purpose Contract , full-time (39 hours/week)

Research Group, Department, School: Fluids & Heat Transfer Research Group, Dept. Mechanical, Manufacturing & Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, TCD 

Location: Dept. Mechanical, Manufacturing & Biomedical Engineering, Parsons Building, the University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD), Dublin 2, Ireland 

Reports to: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tim Persoons (Principal Investigator) 

Salary: €47,273 - €60,250 per annum (IUA Researcher Salary Scale PD1 Point 1 – PD2 Point 4, June 2026), depending on experience 

Closing Date: and Time 1 July 2026 at 12pm noon or until position is filled 

Anticipated Start Date: 1 September 2026

Post Summary 

The Fluids and Heat Transfer research group at the University of Dublin, Trinity College, is seeking to recruit a postdoctoral researcher in a multi-disciplinary, industry facing project on computational analysis, design and optimisation (including experimental validation) of the fluid mechanics of a sample probe washing process in an immunoassay analyser system. The analysis methods will include computational multiphase fluid dynamics modelling, in laminar and turbulent, steady and transient conditions, including aspects of numerical shape optimisation which could be implemented in commercial software packages such as ANSYS Fluent and/or additional CFD or optimisation packages. 

The research methodology will rely both on numerical modelling and optimisation as well as experimental validation. Microscopic particle image velocimetry or similar techniques will be used to assess the validity of the numerical results. Finally, a prototype optimised design will be fabricated and tested in an immunoassay analyser on site with the industry partner. 

Therefore, an affinity for both computational and experimental work is expected although this can be tailored to suit the applicant’s expertise and research interests, and to fit within the other ongoing activities in the research group.

Qualifications 

Suitable applicants will have a PhD in mechanical engineering or equivalent research experience (including industrial R&D).