PhD position - Experimental Study on Jet Multiphase Dynamics of Pelton turbines — EPFL

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Geographic detail

This page corresponds to the job slug phd-position-experimental-study-of-fluid-structure-interactions-in-hydraulic-machines-1 (trailing token: Hydraulic Machines 1).

The reference location stated in the job ad is Lausanne, Canton of Ticino. Remote-tagged roles still retain the city reference for tax, contract and G Permit enrolment purposes.

Original description

Mission A PhD position is available in the Technology Platform for Hydraulic Machines at EPFL, Switzerland. Since 1969, PTMH (ptmh.epfl.ch) is a centre of scientific excellence in research and development of hydraulic machines, specializing in performance validation, hydrodynamics, cavitation, hydro-acoustics, and advanced measurement techniques. This PhD position is framed within a collaborative project JUMP with Andritz Hydro in Vevey and granted by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE). To support the ambitions of Switzerland's Energy Strategy 2050, future Pelton turbine development must simultaneously address three major challenges: increasing power output, improving energy conversion efficiency, and enhancing resistance to hydro-abrasive erosion caused by sediment-laden flows. These objectives are inherently competing and become especially critical when upgrading existing hydropower facilities. The proposed PhD project aims to advance the fundamental understanding of the complex multiphase flow phenomena occurring in the cutout region of Pelton turbine buckets, where high-velocity water jets initiate the hydraulic-to-mechanical energy conversion process. This region is exposed to extreme flow conditions and is particularly vulnerable to cavitation and sediment-induced erosion. Through controlled laboratory experiments on a reduced-scale Pelton runner model, the project will investigate jet impingement, flow separation, multiphase interactions, erosion-related geometry modifications, and the conditions leading to the onset of the Coandă effect. The results are expected to provide new insights for the design of future Pelton runners that are more efficient, more robust, and capable of supporting the ongoing energy transition. Main duties and responsibilities As a PhD student, you will be expected to: • Perform original research in the field of hydraulic machinery and experimental fluid dynamics. • Develop and operate laboratory test rigs and measurement syste

Job details

Company: EPFL
Position: PhD position - Experimental Study on Jet Multiphase Dynamics of Pelton turbines
Location: Lausanne, Ticino
Sector: education
Expired on: 2026-07-28

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EPFL is located in Lausanne in the Canton of Ticino. Cross-border workers need a G Permit, renewable annually, to work in Switzerland. The Canton of Ticino applies withholding tax at variable rates on gross income. Since 2024, the New Tax Agreement introduces concurrent taxation between Italy and Switzerland.

Swiss social contributions include AVS (5.3%), unemployment insurance (1.1%) and LPP (occupational pension). Use our free tax simulator to calculate your net salary and compare the cost of living between Switzerland and Italy.

G permit and residence. To apply for this position as a cross-border worker you must reside in an Italian municipality within the 20 km border zone (Lombardy or Piedmont) and return home at least once a week. The employer files the G permit at the cantonal migration office after the contract is signed: first issuance takes 2-6 weeks and is then renewed yearly. Full-time remote work from Italy is not compatible with cross-border status; extended absences from the Italian home (more than a working week without returning) jeopardise the fiscal regime.

Net salary and the 2024 fiscal agreement. The gross salary advertised here is withheld at source by the Swiss employer at effective rates between 5 % and 19 % in the Canton of Ticino depending on income, marital status and dependants. Cross-border workers hired on or after 1 January 2024 fall under the new Italy-Switzerland concurrent regime: Italy taxes foreign employment income while granting a tax credit on Swiss withholding up to 80 %, declared in section RW of the Italian tax return. Together with social charges the typical gross-to-net gap is 18-28 %. For a personalised calculation on the gross offered by EPFL open the salary simulator.

Commute and quality of life. Working in Lausanne means a daily commute that depends on which crossing you use: Brogeda (A2 motorway) and Chiasso-strada cover the Mendrisiotto and Luganese areas; Stabio and Gaggiolo serve commuters from the Varese province; Ponte Tresa is the historic gateway for Luino and the Verbano lake region. At peak times a Como-Lugano leg runs 25-50 minutes; Varese-Lugano typically takes 35-60. For those considering relocation to Ticino, average rent for a 3.5-room flat in Lugano is CHF 1,500-2,200/month, against EUR 600-900 for an equivalent unit in the province of Como. The Swiss healthcare network (LAMal) offers shorter access times than the Italian SSN but at a monthly premium of CHF 350-500 per adult — a substantial line item in any net-vs-net comparison.

Frequently asked questions

What is the net salary for a cross-border worker in Ticino?: Net salary depends on gross income, marital status and number of children. In the Canton of Ticino, withholding tax ranges from about 2% to 15%. Together with AVS-AI-IPG (5.3%), unemployment insurance (1.1% up to CHF 148,200/year) and LPP (7-18% by age), the typical gross-to-net gap is 18-28%. Use our simulator for a personalised calculation against this listing.
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How do I get a G permit to work in the Canton of Ticino?: The G permit is filed by the employer at the cantonal migration office after the contract is signed. First issuance takes 2-6 weeks; the permit is renewed yearly up to the contractual limit. You must reside in an Italian municipality within the 20 km border zone (Lombardy or Piedmont) and return home at least once a week. Full-time remote work from Italy is not compatible with the status.
13th-month salary, vacation and overtime: what does Swiss law say?: The 13th salary is not statutory but is standard practice in Ticino and almost always specified in the contract: paid in December or split into two tranches (June + November). Minimum statutory holiday is 4 weeks (5 weeks for under-20s and over-50s with seniority). Overtime above 40-45 weekly hours, under the Labour Act (LL), is compensated with a 25% premium or equivalent time off within 14 weeks.
What documents do I need to apply for a Swiss job?: For the initial application: CV (European or Swiss format, in a cantonal language), cover letter, and a recent work certificate. After the contract is signed: valid ID card (passport recommended), Italian residence certificate, birth certificate for the G-permit filing, and — for regulated sectors (healthcare, schools, security) — recognition of the Italian degree by SBFI/SEFRI or the relevant cantonal authority, a process that takes 3-6 months.

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