Launch Your Research Career: Two PhD Positions Open in the ERC-Funded ROCINANTE Project

The Department of Aerospace Engineering at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) is seeking two outstanding and highly motivated candidates to pursue their PhDs within the framework of the ROCINANTE project.

ROCINANTE is an ambitious 5-year ERC-Consolidator Grant hosted by the Plasmas and Space Propulsion Team. The project is dedicated to unraveling and taming the non-linearly oscillating structures and turbulence found in electrodeless plasma thrusters used for in-space propulsion. Ultimately, this research will enable the development of highly efficient devices and open an entirely new research avenue regarding the active control of space plasma thrusters.

PhD Thesis Descriptions

Frequent interaction between the two theses will be a cornerstone of the research, enabling the continuous comparison and contrasting of experimental and numerical results to reach the project’s ultimate goals.

• ROCINANTE-D1 (Experimental): Your PhD thesis will focus on the development and instrumentation of a large plasma source to experimentally characterize and analyze the fluctuations occurring within the plasma.

• ROCINANTE-D2 (Numerical): Your PhD thesis will focus on developing an advanced Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulation framework using the Julia programming language, applying it to numerically analyze plasma fluctuations.

What We Offer

• Contract: Up to 4-year contracts (renewed annually), which include productivity bonuses.

• Training: Advanced PhD-level education and training, including the opportunity to complete a research internship abroad.

• Environment: A spot in a young, dynamic, highly qualified, and collaborative team with a flexible working schedule.

• Visibility: Opportunities to travel to international conferences to present your findings to the global scientific community.

Candidate Requirements

• Young MSc holder (must have completed a total of 300 ECTS across BSc and MSc studies).

• Strong academic background in Aerospace Engineering, Plasma Physics, or other relevant disciplines.

• For D1: Previous design/laboratory experience is highly desirable.

• For D2: Previous numerical experience is highly desirable.

• An outstanding academic record paired with critical and creative thinking.

• Ability to deal independently and proactively with scientific and engineering challenges.

• Strong team-working and communication skills (previous international experience is desirable).

• Good proficiency in oral and written English.

How to Apply

Candidates must send their application to odriva@pa.uc3m.es. Please ensure the email subject line reads “ROCINANTE-Dx” (replacing ‘x’ with 1 or 2 depending on the position) and attach the following documents as PDFs:

• A motivation letter highlighting your skills, experience, and specific research goals (maximum 1 page).

• Your CV, detailing relevant education and any work experience.

• Contact information for up to two references.

• A sample of your best academic work (e.g., your MSc thesis).

Application Deadline: May 31, 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and positions will be filled as soon as suitable candidates are identified. Contracts will begin in October 2026, though flexible start dates (earlier or later) can be arranged. Applications from women and minorities are particularly encouraged.