VAC-2026-41 - Innovation Developer for SBM free-surface and floating-object solvers (NEPTUNE project)

Contribute to the development and implementation of a CFD solver within the NEPTUNE project, with a primary focus on large-scale simulations featuring free-surface flows and floating objects. The selected researcher will work on numerical formulations and High-Performance Computing (HPC) software developments for the Eulerian free-surface solver. This includes the implicit interface and boundary representations by means of the level set method, the weak imposition of boundary conditions using Shifted Boundary Method (SBM)-based techniques, and the treatment of moving and floating bodies within the fluid domain. The work will include the implementation in the Kratos Multiphysics framework, the verification and validation against representative benchmarks, the performance-oriented developments for large-scale simulations (i.e., parallelisation), as well as the participation in the communication of the potential scientific outcomes. The researcher will also contribute to the integration of the solver with NEPTUNE’s broader CFD and fluid-structure interaction framework, working under the scientific guidance of the project PIs.

• Professional experience: 25%
• Knowledge of the Catalan language: 5%
• Knowledge of the English language: 10%
• Selective tests and interview: 25%, * M.Sc. degree in Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Solid foundations in numerical methods, continuum mechanics and scientific programming.
• Fluent scientific communication in English language.

Other valued skills (not mandatory):

• PhD degree in Applied Physics or Engineering.
• Expertise in object-oriented C++ and Python.
• Expertise in parallel programming (GPU and MPI parallelism).
• Prior experience in collaborative development ecosystems, including version control (Git).
• Proven experience in the Kratos Multiphysics framework.
• Knowledge of Spanish and/or Catalan languages.

The International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE) is a R&D&I centre established in 1987, focused on research, technology transfer, and the dissemination of computational engineering and numerical methods in engineering.

CIMNE is a publicly owned institution, structured as a consortium between the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC), the Government of Catalonia, and UNESCO. Headquartered in Barcelona and part of the CERCA network of research centres in Catalonia, CIMNE has become a leading research institution in computational mechanics and engineering. Throughout its history, it has driven advances in civil, mechanical, environmental, biomedical, and interdisciplinary engineering, as well as computational physics.

The centre boasts a large international team of researchers and promotes academic exchange through a network of CIMNE Classrooms across Spain and Latin America. It has participated in thousands of research and technology projects in collaboration with companies, universities, and institutions worldwide.

Combining education and innovation, CIMNE offers master’s programmes, seminars, and doctoral training in partnership with academic institutions from around the globe. Its Publications Department disseminates research results through academic papers, while its active organisation of international conferences helps build bridges between academia and industry. As a pioneer in technology transfer, CIMNE has also launched several spin-off companies to commercialise its innovative developments., At CIMNE, we champion workplace equity, diversity, and inclusion. We’re committed to fostering a culture where everyone can thrive, leveraging diverse talents and backgrounds. We welcome all applicants regardless of color, religion, gender, origin, abilities, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy or any other characteristic. Join us in building a community that values, celebrates, and respects every individual.

Quota Reservation: In line with our commitment to inclusion, we reserve a percentage of our workforce for people with disabilities. We especially encourage these individuals to apply.

HR Excellence in Research:

CIMNE supports the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission, which promote a transparent, attractive, and open research labor market. In recognition of its commitment to these values, CIMNE has obtained the HRS4R (Human Resources Strategy for Researchers) seal of excellence, awarded by the European Commission. This distinction certifies that the center applies human resources policies aligned with European quality standards.

CIMNE’s HRS4R strategy includes an action plan with concrete measures, both short- and long-term, to ensure a stimulating and high-quality work environment for all research staff. You can find more information here.