Author Archives: wvanrees

Open postdoc position

Update : the position has been filled.

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher with a strong computational science background to pursue research in multiresolution simulations of 3D partial differential equations representing coupled multiphysics phenomena. The postdoctoral researcher will work on theoretical aspects of combining wavelet-based multiresolution methods and high-order structure-preserving finite-difference based discretizations for partial differential equations. The work will also involve the implementation of these schemes within a high performance computing context based on C++ and MPI. Our overall vision is to combine wavelets, finite-differences, sharp-interface discretizations, and interface-based non-linear coupling to create a software framework for efficient solution of multiphysics problems, with initial focus around incompressible fluid dynamics and fluid-structure interaction. We are looking for candidates with strong fundamental knowledge in computational science and numerical analysis, and with strong familiarity with code development for scientific computing.  The position is for two years. 


To apply, please send a CV (with a list of publications), a brief (max one page) statement of research interest, and two references to Prof. Wim van Rees (wvanrees@mit.edu). 

Army Research Office Early Career Award

Wim M. van Rees received an Early Career Award from the Army Research Office for his proposal entitled “The dynamic evolution of helicity and twist, and their role in vortex instabilities“. We’re very excited to be able to continue our work on vortex dynamics with support from this program!

Department of Energy Early Career Award

Wim M. van Rees received a FY2020 Department of Energy Early Career Award for his proposal entitled “A Multiresolution Sharp-interface Framework for Tightly-coupled Multiphysics Simulations“. Thanks to everyone who contributed in the lead-in to this project! This award will enable us to continue pushing the frontiers in computational science.

The public abstract for this project is below (from here):
An important subset of energy-related systems in fluid mechanics, geophysics, and industrial applications can be modeled as interface-coupled multiphysics problems. For these problems, the accurate prediction of system properties near moving boundaries and interfaces is a valuable capability that enables optimization of sensor placements, analysis of structural loadings, and many other insights. Significant modeling and algorithmic challenges stem from the wide range and scale separations of time and space in each domain, the large motions and deformations of the interface separating the domains, and the coupling between the different domains across such moving interfaces. This proposal aims to overcome these challenges by combining a high-fidelity treatment of sharp moving interfaces with a localized tight coupling strategy. The research from this novel paradigm will be implemented within a scalable multiresolution software framework. Testing and validation will be carried out on two representative applications: two-phase incompressible flows and fluid-structure interactions.