CFD Simulations Engineer for needle-free jet injection

At FlowBeams, we are developing needle-free injection technology to make medical and cosmetic procedures safer, more comfortable, stress-free and available for everyone. Backed by numerous innovation awards and international traction (including CES), we're on a mission to replace needles with a patented and revolutionary technology! We are a spin-off from the University of Twente (Netherlands) and currently have a team of 7 employees.

The internship is part of an ongoing EIC Transition-funded MedTech innovation project focused on developing a next-generation needle-free jet injector. The project lies within the thematic area of medical devices and health technology, aiming to create a safer, more user-friendly, and scalable alternative to traditional injection methods.

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We are seeking a PhD intern with expertise in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to support the development of our jet injector prototype. The internship focuses on simulating liquid-soft matter interactions and jetting phenomena to improve the device's performance and reliability.

The intern will work on extending existing simulation frameworks or developing new approaches, providing critical insights that guide prototype design and optimization. Their expertise is essential to bridge experimental observations with predictive computational models, directly supporting the project's goal of creating a functional, safe, and efficient medical device.

Key Outcomes

Value for the Candidate

• Gain hands-on industry experience in a medtech startup environment.
• Apply advanced CFD skills to real-world device development challenges.
• Develop competencies in simulation framework development, multiphase flow modeling, and fluid-structure interaction.
• Learn how CFD supports product design, optimization, and validation in medical devices.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary engineering team, gaining exposure to both R&D and product development processes.

Responsibilities

• Set up, run, and analyze CFD simulations for liquid-soft matter interactions in the jet injector.
• Extend or develop simulation frameworks to improve predictive accuracy.
• Collaborate with experimental engineers to validate simulation results.
• Document and communicate findings, ensuring results directly inform prototype design decisions.
• Contribute to iterative design improvements by linking simulation insights to device performance.

These activities are directly linked to the project's objective of improving jet performance, reproducibility, and device reliability through advanced simulation-driven design.

Type of Stream

Deep-Tech Talents - This internship is tailored for PhD students seeking to apply their research expertise in CFD to industrial medtech innovation.

Degree Level

• Currently enrolled in a PhD program in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, Computational Fluid Dynamics, or a related field.

Specific Technical Skills

• Strong experience in CFD simulations, ideally with OpenFOAM, ANSYS Fluent, or similar software.
• Knowledge of fluid-structure interaction, liquid-soft matter interactions, or jetting phenomena.
• Experience in developing or extending simulation frameworks for complex fluid systems.
• Ability to set up, run, and analyze high-fidelity simulations.

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a small multidisciplinary team.
• Effective communication and documentation of simulation results.
• Adaptability and willingness to iterate on models based on experimental feedback.

Preferred Qualifications (Optional)

• Familiarity with multiphase flows, non-Newtonian fluids, or biofluids.
• Experience in validating simulations against experimental data.
• Knowledge of parallel computing or high-performance computing (HPC) for CFD simulations.

The duration of the internship can be discussed with the candidate, but ideally between 3 and 6 months. A hybrid or even remote working may be a possibility. For questions, you can contact Jelle Schoppink (CTO) at [email protected]