Computational Modeling of Fundamental Combustion Processes
The Air Force Academy seeks an expert in combustion CFD to lead research on simulating combustion processes in shock tubes and rotating detonation engines.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: Base stipend approximately $95,000 plus $5,000 travel allowance; experience-based supplements available; typical award duration 2-3 years.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral and senior researchers to lead computational fluid dynamics (CFD) research on fundamental combustion processes at the US Air Force Academy, focusing on shock tube and rotating detonation engine simulations.
Key Information: Location-flexible with hybrid work model; U.S. citizenship required; applicants must contact Research Adviser prior to applying.
Description
This fellowship opportunity supports advanced computational modeling research on fundamental combustion processes critical to aerospace propulsion, particularly liquid hydrocarbon fuels used by the U.S. Air Force. The research is centered at the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, CO, which operates combustion shock tubes (CST) and is developing a rotating detonation engine (RDE). The program integrates experimental work at USAFA with computational efforts at USAFA’s High Performance Computing Research Center (HPCRC) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in Dayton, OH.
The successful applicant will lead multiphase reacting flow computational fluid dynamics (CFD) research, serving as the HPCRC’s leading expert in combustion CFD. Research topics include 1D ignition modeling and 2D boundary layer growth in shock tubes, informed by experimental data, as well as simulations of rotating detonation engines. The position supports a hybrid working model and is location-flexible.
This opportunity leverages collaborations with AFRL and the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) to develop and fund combustion CFD capabilities at USAFA, addressing cost, regulatory, and environmental pressures to reduce liquid fuel consumption and transition to sustainable fuels.
Keywords
CFD, Reacting Flow, Combustion, Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE), Shock Tube, Combustion Shock Tube
