PhD Position in Experimental Analysis of Boiling Instabilities in Nuclear Steam Generators at TU Delft

Help determine operational limits of next-gen nuclear steam generators! Advanced nuclear reactor designs like the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor or molten salt reactor offer certain advantages compared to traditional light water reactors. One such advantage is their potential to operate with a high thermal efficiency, stemming from their ability to generate superheated steam at much higher temperatures.

Traditional light water reactors utilize U-tube steam generators that produce saturated steam, which are known to experience spontaneous oscillations of two-phase mass flow and pressure drop. While these phenomena are well understood in light water reactors, they are more severe in once-through helical steam generators, where rapid shifts in the dryout point can lead to thermal fatigue and mechanical failure of the tube walls. This complexity is further compounded by parallel channel instabilities.

In this project, you will develop and construct a laboratory steam generator setup to study boiling instabilities in helical tubes. In the first year, you will design and build the setup with a team of skilled technicians and an energetic supervisory team. Subsequently, you will investigate the characteristics of the boiling instabilities and compare them to a numerical model.

Your Working Environment

You will join the Process & Energy (P&E) department at TU Delft’s Mechanical Engineering faculty, where we focus on Energy, Flow, and Processes. Collaborating with top researchers skilled in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics, you will also have opportunities for professional development through technical and non-technical courses. As part of your PhD, you will lead interactions and collaborations with other researchers at TU Delft, research groups at other universities, and industry stakeholders.

Job Requirements

We are looking for a candidate with:

Extensive experience in experimental techniques and design of experiments involving physical transport phenomena.

Furthermore, we expect you to have:

A MSc degree in chemistry, physics, mechanical engineering, or a similar field.
A strong affinity for thermodynamics and transport equations.
A keen interest in the nuclear industry and its future roles in society.
An interest in transient modeling and analysis.
Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

For this vacancy, a knowledge embargo exemption is required. Please check the following website: https://www.government.nl/themes/education/secondary-vocational-education-mbo-and-tertiary-higher-education/exemption-certain-engineering-or-nuclear-related-courses-of-study

About TU Delft

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference. For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who impact the world in various sectors. Our education and research align with societal needs, focusing on energy, climate, digitalization, AI, and smart mobility.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have opportunities to take initiative, collaborate, and grow professionally.

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

From chip to ship, our faculty focuses on fundamental understanding, design, production, and application of mechanical systems. We are a dynamic faculty with high-tech lab facilities and a commitment to training responsible engineers who contribute to a sustainable society.

Conditions of Employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year employment period, initially with a 1.5-year contract followed by a contract for the remaining 2.5 years, assuming performance requirements are met. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, starting from €3204 to €4051 gross per month, plus holiday allowance and end-of-year bonus. As a PhD candidate, you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School, which provides a supportive research environment and opportunities for personal development.

If you need to relocate to the Netherlands, TU Delft is committed to making your move as smooth as possible. The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information and organizes events to help you settle in and expand your network.

Additional Information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. ir. Jurriaan Peeters (j.w.r.peeters@tudelft.nl).

Application Procedure

If you are interested in this vacancy, please apply by 15 November 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

CV
Motivational letter

Address your application to Dr. ir. Jurriaan Peeters. Please note that applications sent by email or post will not be processed. A risk assessment will be conducted as part of knowledge security during the recruitment process. This assessment is based on the information provided by candidates and takes place at the final stages of selection. If the outcome is negative, candidates will be informed. More information about this assessment can be found on our website about knowledge security.

Applying for a knowledge embargo exemption is mandatory for this vacancy and must be obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) before an employment contract can be agreed upon. For more information, click here.