Full-time study

4 years

prof. Ing. Martin Hartl, Ph.D.

Chairman :
prof. Ing. Martin Hartl, Ph.D.
Councillor internal :
prof. Ing. Petr Stehlík, CSc., dr. h. c.
prof. Ing. Josef Štětina, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Jiří Pospíšil, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Petr Blecha, Ph.D., FEng.
prof. Ing. Pavel Hutař, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Radomil Matoušek, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Jaroslav Katolický, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Jaroslav Juračka, Ph.D.
Councillor external :
Ing. Jan Čermák, Ph.D., MBA

The main goal of the doctoral study programme is, in accordance with the Higher Education Act, to train highly qualified and educated professionals who are capable of independent scientific, research and creative activities in the field of design and process engineering. The graduates are equipped with knowledge and skills that enable them to work at Czech or international academic institutions or research institutes. The programme focuses on theoretical knowledge as well as practical experience in the field of doctoral studies. Cooperation with international research institutes is highly supported. The study programme is designed to fulfil demands and meet societal and industry requirements for highly educated and qualified professionals in the fields of design and process engineering.
Doctoral study programme is primarily based on research and creative activities of doctoral students. These activities are intensively supported by student participation in national and international research projects. Research areas include design (analysis, conception, design of machinery, vehicles, machine production and energy) and process engineering (analysis, design and projection of processes in the engineering, transport, energy and petrochemical industries).

A graduate of the doctoral study programme is a highly qualified expert with broad theoretical knowledge and practical skills, which enables him/her to carry out creative and research activities both independently and/or in a scientific team. The graduate is acquainted with current findings in the field of design and process engineering and is able to apply the knowledge in his/her research or creative activities. The graduate is also able to prepare a research project proposal and to oversee a project. At the same time, the graduate is able to make use of theoretical knowledge and transfer it in practice. Moreover, the graduate can adapt findings from related disciplines, cooperate on interdisciplinary tasks and increase their professional qualifications. The graduate participation on national and international researches and cooperation with international research institutions contributes to higher level of their professional competences. This experience allows graduates not only to carry out their own scientific activities, but also to professionally present their results, and to take part in international discussions.
The graduate can demonstrate knowledge and skills in three main areas and the synergy produces great outcomes.
1. Broad theoretical knowledge and practical skills closely related to the topic of the dissertation (see below).
2. Professional knowledge and skills necessary to carry out scientific work, research, and creative activities.
3. Interpersonal and soft skills and competencies - the graduate is able to present their ideas and opinions professionally, is able to present and defend the results of their work and to discuss them and work effectively in a scientific team or to lead a team.
According to the topic of the dissertation, the graduate will acquire highly professional knowledge and skills in mechanical engineering, in particular in design and operation of machines, machinery, engineering processes and vehicles and transport vehicles. Thanks to the broad knowledge and skills, graduates can pursue a career in research institutes in the Czech Republic and abroad, as well as in commercial companies and applied research.

A graduate of the doctoral study programme is a highly qualified expert with broad theoretical knowledge and practical skills, which enables him/her to carry out creative and research activities both independently and/or in a scientific team. The graduate is acquainted with state-of-the-art findings in the field of design and process engineering and is able to apply the knowledge in his/her research or creative activities. The graduate is also able to prepare a research project proposal and to oversee a project. At the same time, the graduate can make use of theoretical knowledge and transfer it in practice. Moreover, the graduate can adapt findings from related disciplines, cooperate on interdisciplinary tasks and increase their professional qualifications. The graduate typically finds a job as a researcher, academic personnel, computer scientist or designer. The graduate is also well equipped with skills and competences to perform well in managerial positions.

See applicable regulations, DEAN’S GUIDELINE Rules for the organization of studies at FME (supplement to BUT Study and Examination Rules)

The rules and conditions of study programmes are determined by:
BUT STUDY AND EXAMINATION RULES
BUT STUDY PROGRAMME STANDARDS,
STUDY AND EXAMINATION RULES of Brno University of Technology (USING "ECTS"),
DEAN’S GUIDELINE Rules for the organization of studies at FME (supplement to BUT Study and Examination Rules)
DEAN´S GUIDELINE Rules of Procedure of Doctoral Board of FME Study Programmes
Students in doctoral programmes do not follow the credit system. The grades “Passed” and “Failed” are used to grade examinations, doctoral state examination is graded “Passed” or “Failed”.

Brno University of Technology acknowledges the need for equal access to higher education. There is no direct or indirect discrimination during the admission procedure or the study period. Students with specific educational needs (learning disabilities, physical and sensory handicap, chronic somatic diseases, autism spectrum disorders, impaired communication abilities, mental illness) can find help and counselling at Lifelong Learning Institute of Brno University of Technology. This issue is dealt with in detail in Rector's Guideline No. 11/2017 "Applicants and Students with Specific Needs at BUT". Furthermore, in Rector's Guideline No 71/2017 "Accommodation and Social Scholarship“ students can find information on a system of social scholarships.

1. round (applications submitted from 01.04.2026 to 31.05.2026)

1. Calibration and validation of CFD models for solid-particle erosion in curved flow geometries

   The aim of the doctoral thesis is to develop and validate a numerical (CFD) methodology for predicting erosion caused by solid particles in flows over curved walls and in technically relevant geometries. The student will work with multiphase modelling (Euler–Lagrange/DPM), including the selection of appropriate boundary conditions, turbulence modelling, and particle–wall interaction. An important part of the work will be the calibration of erosion-model parameters (e.g., Finnie/Tabakoff) against experimental data and a sensitivity analysis of these parameters. The thesis will also include uncertainty quantification and the definition of applicability limits for different materials, particle sizes and concentrations, and operating conditions. The main outputs will be validated computational procedures and recommendations for transferring results from laboratory configurations to more complex real-world geometries (e.g., blade passages of turbines and pumps).

   The thesis will be carried out within an international GAČR project in collaboration with the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), enabling research stays, conference travel, and other international activities.

   Supervisor: Rudolf Pavel, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

2. Cavitation erosion of fuel-pump components: accelerated testing, damage quantification, and a validated wear model

   The aim of the thesis is to experimentally quantify cavitation damage on selected pump components and to develop a methodology for reliably translating accelerated test results into erosion-risk estimates under real operating conditions. The student will focus on designing and evaluating experiments (including instrumentation), detailed measurement and description of damaged surfaces, and the creation of comparable erosion maps. Based on the acquired data, a cavitation-erosion model will be developed and validated for assessing design variants and operating regimes. A practical extension may also be to link the results with diagnostics by identifying relationships between the intensity of cavitation/erosion and measurable test signals (e.g., vibroacoustics) to enable early cavitation detection during testing.

   Supervisor: Rudolf Pavel, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Liquid and steam flow dynamics and distribution in a desorber in the system of CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage.

   To study experimentally and computationally the phenomena that arise during the distribution of a liquid (solvent) in a rotating bed of a desorber, where the absorbed CO2 is released, which is subsequently compressed and transported for further use. The desorber is part of the entire system to produce biomethane from biogas in biogas stations. The release of CO2 from a liquid solvent is energy-intensive and requires very efficient equipment. An advanced solution is the use of various rotating geometric structures (RPB - Rotating Packed Bed).

   The subject of the doctoral study will be to assess the influence of various geometric structures of the TPMS type - Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (such as gyroids, diamonds and the like) on the heating of their surfaces using steam and the dispersion of liquid solvents on their surfaces with the aim of finding the best solution in terms of energy consumption. In terms of practical steps and solution methods, the doctoral student will prepare an experimental stand in cooperation with the team in the rotating technologies laboratory and will study the phenomena described above using experiments and computational simulations. Energy consumption, the amount of released CO2 and the possibility of heat recovery after steam condensation will be monitored.

   The study will be part of the solution of the trilateral cooperation project with the Łódź University of Technology (Poland) and TU Berlin (Germany) and the Theta II Technology Agency project. The doctoral student will participate in the meetings of both projects and others that are in the preparation phase. It will be possible to pay the student a scholarship or pay him a salary in another form from both sources. In the solution, the doctoral student will closely cooperate with colleagues from Łódź and Berlin, where there is also the possibility of completing an Erasmus internship. It is also possible to complete it, for example, at Newcastle University or other cooperating universities.

   Supervisor: Jícha Miroslav, prof. Ing., CSc.

4. Numerical modelling of flow and cavitation in centrifugal fuel pumps and hydraulic design modifications

   The thesis will focus on developing and validating CFD methodologies for cavitation prediction in a real fuel-pump geometry, including the selection of an appropriate multiphase approach, turbulence modelling, and boundary conditions. The student will compare simulations with experimental data from performance and endurance tests and progressively refine the model so that it can be used to design hydraulic modifications. The main outputs will be recommendations on which design interventions most effectively mitigate cavitation while maintaining the required performance and efficiency. The doctoral research will be carried out within an applied research project in collaboration with an industrial partner.

   Supervisor: Rudolf Pavel, doc. Ing., Ph.D.