Doctoral Candidate/Post Doctoral researcher (m/f/d) on the topic “Physics-Based Numerical Modelling of Sensor Soiling in Autonomous Road Vehicles”

With more than 15,000 students and 3,800 employees, the Technische Universität Braunschweig is one of Germany´s leading institutes of technology. It stands for strategic and performance-oriented thinking and acting, relevant research, committed teaching, and the successful transfer of knowledge and technologies to the economy and society. We consistently advocate for family friendliness and equal opportunities.

Our research focuses are mobility, engineering for health, metrology, and city of the future. Strong engineering and natural sciences are our core disciplines. These are closely interconnected with economics, social and educational sciences and humanities.

Our campus is located in the midst of one of the most research-intensive regions in Europe. We work successfully together with over 20 research institutions in our neighborhood as we do with our international partner universities.

Starting 1st of September, the Institute of Fluid Mechanics is looking for a

Doctoral Candidate/Post Doctoral researcher (m/f/d) on the topic “Physics-Based Numerical Modelling of Sensor Soiling in Autonomous Road Vehicles”
(full-time– fixed-term)

The position is to be filled on a fixed-term basis for a period of 32 months. For doctoral researchers, the position offers the opportunity to pursue a doctorate, and an extension of the contract to 36 months may be considered.

The Institute of Fluid Mechanics at Technische Universität Braunschweig is seeking a highly motivated doctoral candidate or postdoctoral researcher to join a newly funded research project focused on the development of next-generation predictive tools for sensor soiling in autonomous and automated vehicles.

Advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicles rely on cameras, LiDAR, radar and ultrasonic sensors whose performance can be severely degraded by rain, snow, ice, dust, road spray and insect contamination. Currently, the prediction of sensor contamination remains largely impossible during the virtual design phase, resulting in costly late-stage design modifications. The goal of this project is to develop a physics-based computational framework capable of predicting particle transport, deposition, liquid-film dynamics and sensor surface coverage under realistic operating conditions. The developed methodology will combine advanced CFD, Lagrangian particle tracking, multiphase flow modelling and machine-learning-assisted analysis and will be validated against dedicated experimental datasets.

Make a Difference:

• Develop numerical models for particle transport, impingement and deposition in turbulent multiphase flows.
• Investigate the applicability and limitations of current particle-tracking approaches and advanced formulations starting from the Maxey–Riley equation.
• Develop models for non-spherical particles, particle inertia effects, liquid-film transport and reentrainment processes.
• Implement and validate modelling approaches in CFD environments such as OpenFOAM, Fluent or Star-CCM+.
• Collaborate closely with experimental researchers to establish model validation datasets.
• Contribute to the development of predictive metrics linking sensor contamination to sensor performance.
• Publish scientific results in high-impact journals and present at international conferences.
• Participate in teaching and supervision activities within the institute.

Your Qualifications:

• Master's/PhD degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics or a related field
• Strong background in fluid mechanics and aerodynamics
• Experience with CFD methods (RANS, URANS, LES or related approaches)
• Programming experience in Python and/or C++
• Experience with OpenFOAM, and StarCCM++ is advantageous
• Knowledge of multiphase flows, particle dynamics, numerical methods or machine learning is desirable
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to work independently
• Good written and spoken English.

Our Benefits:

• Opportunity to work on a unique interdisciplinary research topic with strong industrial relevance
• Access to state-of-the-art HPC resources and advanced simulation tools
• Close collaboration with leading automotive manufacturers and sensor suppliers
• Integration into an internationally recognized research group in experimental and computational fluid mechanics
• Pay in accordance with the collective agreement TV-L, pay grade EG13, depending on the assignment of tasks and fulfilment of personal requirements
• A special payment at the end of the year as well as a supplementary benefit in the form of a company pension, comparable to a company pension in the private sector
• A workplace that is basically suitable for part-time work, although the position is to be filled full-time, as well as flexible working and part-time options and a family-friendly university culture, awarded the “Family-friendly university” audit since 2007
• A wide range of continuing education and company health care programmes as well as a vibrant campus life in an international atmosphere.

What’s more to know:
We welcome applicants of all nationalities. At the same time, we encourage people with severe disabilities to apply. Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Please attach a form of evidence of your handicap to your application. We are also working on the fulfilment of the Central Equality Plan based on the Lower Saxony Equal Rights Act (Niedersächsisches
Gleichberechtigungsgesetz—NGG) and strive to reduce under-representation in all areas and positions as defined by the NGG. Therefore, applications from women are particularly welcome in this case.

The personal data will be stored for the purpose of processing the application. By submitting your application, you agree that your data may be stored and processed electronically for application purposes in compliance with the provisions of data protection law. Further information on data protection can be found in our data protection regulations at https://www.tu-braunschweig.de/datenschutzerklaerungbewerbungen.
Application costs cannot be reimbursed.

Questions and Answers:
For more information, please call Dr. Mariachiara Gallia on +49 (0) 531 391-94231 or Dr. Michael Hilfer on + 49 (0) 531 391-94269.

Closing date: 5th July 2026

Are you interested? Please send your application (CV, transcripts and motivation letter) preferably via email to mariachiara.gallia(at)tu-braunschweig.de and michael.hilfer(at)tu-braunschweig.de

or via mail to

Technische Universität Braunschweig
Institut für Strömungsmechanik
Hermann-Blenk-Straße 37
38108 Braunschweig

vom: 15.06.2026
gültig bis: 05.07.2026