We invite applications for a PhD in the University of Barcelona (Physics) jointly with the
Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC). We seek a
highly-talented, motivated, and open-minded candidate, for a coordinated project (PID2025;
Spanish Research Agency) between IDAEA-CSIC, UB-Physics, and Universidad Politécnica
de Madrid, with collaborators in France, UK, Japan, and the USA.

The project aims to understand and quantify the impact of nonlinearity on flow and transport
in confined porous media. We put particular emphasis on three sources of nonlinearity: non-
Newtonian rheology, large driving rates leading to dynamic capillary pressure and hysteresis
in multiphase flow, and the complex phase behavior of multicomponent mixtures described
by realistic equations of state. Achieving this goal requires an integrated approach, from
fundamental theory, laboratory experiments, and detailed numerical simulations, to
mesoscale pore network modeling and upscaling to continuum-scale theories that can be
applied in application-relevant geometries and conditions.

You will receive extensive training in (i) theoretical knowledge of interfacial instabilities,
capillary phenomena, scaling theories, hydrodynamic flow in disordered media; (ii) image
and data acquisition in experimental fluid mechanics, and the use of specialized software
such as MatLab and LabView for image / data analysis and instrument control; and (iii)
computational simulations and modeling. You will also gain professional skills such as time
and data management, oral communication, and scientific writing. Short training stays at the
Laboratoire de Physique of the ENS-Lyon (France) and Nottingham-Trent University will
provide you with additional expertise. Additionally, you will be enrolled in the UBICS
(University of Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems) and participate regularly in its various
training and research activities, as well as the weekly seminars in IDAEA-CSIC.
 

Qualifications and selection criteria
• Required: Degree in physics, geosciences, civil or mechanical engineering; Strong
interpersonal skills, interest in teamwork and collaborations; Good level of English;
• Preferred: Background and/or experience in experiments and modeling transport
processes of complex flows of normal/complex fluids, ideally in porous media;
scientific programming (Python, Matlab, etc).
Conditions
• Enrolment in “Advanced Physics” PhD program in UB
• Full-time contract for 4 years (Standard FPI predoc salary, estimated ~€25,500/yr)
• Start date: Fall 2026
 

How to apply
If you meet the qualification criteria, please send an email to both Prof. Jordi Ortin
(jordi.ortin@fmc.ub.edu) and Dr. Ran Holtzman (ran.holtzman@csic.es) titled
“NonLinFlow_PhD”, which includes the following documents: (1) CV; (2) motivation letter; (3)
complete course grades and transcripts (informal scans ok); (4) contact information of two
references (no references yet); (5) links/copies of your MSc thesis and/or publications.