→ Apply before 15/06/2026 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)
→ Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
→ Department: EA15 - Civiele Techniek
→ Occupancy rate:100%
→ Number of positions: 1
→ Type of employment: Contract of limited duration
→ Term of assignment: 1 jaar
→ Wage scale: WM1 to WM4 (master degree)
→ Required diploma:Master
ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY
Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.
YOUR TASKS
The division of Ships and Marine Technology (www.ships.ugent.be) is a research group within the Department of Civil Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at Ghent University. Their research focuses on the hydrodynamics of ships and other floating structures in general, with a particular emphasis on ship behaviour in shallow and confined waters. Additionally, the division is involved in research on the hydrodynamics of floating offshore wind installations and the engineering aspects of aquaculture. The research group is also the coordinator of the Erasmus Mundus program EMship (https://emship.eu/), an educational collaboration between seven European universities.
We are currently looking for a candidate with advanced expertise in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in general, but preferably using OpenFOAM. The following competences are expected:
- The optimal use of LES, DES or RANS computations.
- Use of scripts or adapted solvers and workflow automation.
- Excellent meshing expertise, including different dynamic meshing strategies: overset, sliding meshes, mesh morphing, adaptive mesh refinement
- Able to perform captive (prescribed track) and free running (track adapted by previous computation step) simulations.
The tasks will consist of performing hydrodynamic computations of ships in shallow or confined environments with the aim of resistance and propulsion prediction or the determination of manoeuvring coefficients. Although expertise on ship hydrodynamics is a bonus, it is not required as the candidate should focus on the computation of verified and validated data, which can be used in further modelling. Some examples of possible computations to have an idea of the desired challenges:
- Determination of the resistance acting on a ship sailing at a fixed speed in a channel. The candidate can perform such computations with double body methods (no free surface effect), with free surface effects (e.g. VOF method or alternative methods) and with overset methods (e.g. to account for the dynamic equilibrium position (squat) in the vertical plane).
- Determination of the self-propulsion point of a ship, including a rotating propeller (e.g. in overset)
- Determination of lift and drag on a ship sailing at a given drift angle.
- Determination of the interaction forces between two meeting or overtaking ships.
- Computation of nautical bottom problems with Worrall-Tuliani models (instead of a constant viscosity).
The ideal candidate will also use his or her expertise to coach MSc- students and PhD students who are performing CFD based research.
Candidates must hold an MSc degree in Science (Physics, Mathematics) or in Engineering. Having a PhD is not a formal requirement. Knowledge of Dutch is an asset, although the latter is not a formal requirement, since most research and teaching activities are conducted in an international context.
You will be supervised by professors from the Ghent University Department of Ships and Marine Technology. Your primary workplace will be located in Ghent.
For more information, please contact Prof. dr. ir. Evert Lataire ([email protected]).
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for a motivated Master of Science in Engineering or Master in Science in Physics or Mathematics with the following skills and competences:
- Candidates should be well‐qualified academically to masters level.
- Candidates should demonstrate minimum 10 years of CFD expertise
- Candidates should demonstrate working experience with OpenFOAM
- Candidates must have excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Candidates must be flexible, responsible and team workers;
- Candidates must be proficient in English. Knowledge of Dutch is convenient, but not a requirement.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- We offer you a contract of definite duration of one year.
- Your contract will start on 1/09/2026 at the earliest.
- Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale WM1 to WM4 (if you hold a Master’s degree). Click here for more information about our salary scales.
- All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Employee benefits — Ghent University.
INTERESTED?
Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system.
Your application must include the following documents:
- In the field ‘CV’: your CV and an overview of your study results (merged into one pdf file)
- In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format
- In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession). If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.
Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.
As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information about this vacancy, please contact prof. dr. ir. Evert Lataire ([email protected]). Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.
Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read the FAQ or contact us via [email protected].
