Postdoctoral Fellow

FE has a strong and internationally recognised activity in multiphase flow modelling and experimentation, with a long track record of developing technologies, software and large scale infrastructure for complex industrial transport systems.

The Department for Flow Technology combines physics based modelling, scientific computing and laboratory research, supporting applications within oil and gas production, reservoir related flow, CO₂ transport and storage, and flow assurance.

Institute for Energy Technology, IFE, has a full-time, three-year postdoctoral position available in computational multiphase-flow modelling. The position is connected to the project MIND -- Multiphase Flow in Downward-Inclined Pipelines, which studies gas-liquid flow in downward-inclined and undulating pipeline systems.

MIND is a collaborative and knowledge-building project with industry partners, combining controlled laboratory experiments with mathematical and numerical modelling to improve the understanding of downward-inclined and undulating pipeline flows. Experiments in the SINTEF Medium Scale Loop and the IFE Well Flow Loop will provide data under realistic operating conditions. The data will be used to test and improve one-dimensional multiphase-flow models and closure laws for industry-relevant pipeline simulators.

Main responsibilities and work tasks

About the position
A large share of existing multiphase-flow models is based on experiments in horizontal or vertical pipes, while real pipeline systems often include downward sections, upward sections and terrain-like undulations. These geometries can strongly affect liquid holdup, pressure drop, flow-regime transitions, and slugging. The postdoctoral fellow will develop, test and improve one-dimensional multiphase-flow models and closure laws in close collaboration with researchers at IFE and SINTEF. The work will use experimental data from both institutes together with existing databases such as FlowDa.

• Develop and test physical models and closure laws for downward-inclined and undulating multiphase pipe flow.
• Evaluate model performance against experimental databases such as FlowDa and new data generated in the MIND project.
• Investigate how pipe geometry and upstream flow conditions affect key flow patterns and model predictions in downward-inclined and undulating pipelines.
• Use an existing open-source one-dimensional multiphase-flow code as a modelling and testing platform.
• Contribute, as appropriate, to student supervision, teaching, conference presentations, project meetings and outreach activities.
• Contribute to scientific publications, documentation and dissemination of project results.

Qualifications

• A degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree (PhD) in physics, applied mathematics, computer science, or a closely related field. Applicants who have submitted their doctoral thesis for evaluation by the application deadline may also apply, provided that the doctoral degree is awarded before the appointment takes effect.
• Demonstrated programming skills, with substantial experience in scientific programming, data processing, and data analysis using languages such as Python, MATLAB, or similar.
• Experience with multiphase flow from academic research or industrial work.
• Excellent oral and written English skills.

• Experience with C++.
• Familiarity with version control systems such as Git.
• Experience with numerical modelling or model development.
• A track record of collaborative work across modelling, theory, and experiments.

Personality

• Able to work both independently and contribute as part of a team.
• Genuinely interested in programming and development.
• High standards for scientific integrity.
• Ability to prioritize and complete work tasks.
• Good scientific communication skills.

We offer

• Competitive salary, pension- and insurance schemes.
• Exciting and challenging tasks in a team that works in the forefront of research.
• Participation in leading international research teams.
• Collaboration with other departments.
• Competent and easy to collaborate colleagues in a professional environment that values mutual growth.
• A growing and healthy organization that focuses on individual and group development.
• Flexible working hours.

IFE is subject to the Security Act, which includes requirements for the organisation’s management of critical national information, as well as other relevant legislation concerning the management of sensitive information. On this basis, it is a prerequisite for employment that the applicant is suitable from a security perspective. Note that relevant applicants will be asked questions that are necessary to ascertain this. This includes questions about any ties to countries that the PST has classified as a ‘high-risk country’ in its open threat assessment. Background checks are performed as part of our recruitment process.

We view diversity as a strength in our work. We therefore encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion and ethnic background. We place great emphasis on your personal suitability for the position.