Thermophoton, spin-off of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), is developing an innovative thermal battery for combined heat and power generation, based on ultra-high-temperature phase-change storage and thermophotovoltaic conversion.

We are looking for a Doctor/PhD in Engineering to join our core technical team and take the lead, from a hands-on and applied perspective, in developing the thermal battery's heat-transfer systems from prototype to industrial-scale engineering.

RESPONSABILITIES

- Lead development of heat exchangers, thermosyphon-based systems, and heat-transfer subsystems for the

thermal battery, from prototype to industrial-scale engineering.

- Coordinate with industrial PhD candidates on related work, integrating their results into the company's development plan. Take technical leadership to ensure project and funding milestones are met, even if academic progress is slower than required.
- Manage supplier and engineering-company interactions for design, sourcing, and manufacturing of thermal

components.
- Support procurement and strategic decisions (typically tens of thousands of euros) with the CEO and R&D; manager.
- Develop knowledge of Spanish/EU regulatory requirements for high-temperature industrial systems and TES

suppliers.
- Support the R&D; team in technical reporting and bilingual presentations for funded projects.
- Contribute to instrumentation and control definition for prototype and demonstrator units.
- Contribute to the preparation of public and private funding proposals.

REQUIREMENTS

- PhD in Mechanical, Industrial, Energy,



Process, or Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
- Doctoral research with hands-on experimental work (test rigs, prototypes, field measurements).
- Comfortable with hand and power tools as well as computer-based modeling.
- Confident interacting with suppliers, engineering companies, and consortium partners.
- Spanish and English at professional working level.
- Based in Madrid, or available to relocate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Experience with heat exchangers, thermosyphons, two-phase heat transfer, or thermal energy storage.
- Familiarity with CFD or numerical heat-transfer tools (valued as a plus).
- Experience with mechanical design, manufacturing drawings, or workshop coordination.
- Familiarity with public-funding project execution (CDTI, EIC, Comunidad de Madrid, Horizon Europe).
- Interest in commercial/techno-economic aspects (supplier negotiation, cost estimation).

GENERAL CONDITIONS

- Location: Madrid, Spain.
- Start date: Immediate incorporation.
- Permanent contract, with opportunities to grow into leadership roles.
- Competitive salary. Exact terms will be discussed during the selection process according to experience.

Thermophoton is committed to equal opportunities and to building a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all genders, and particularly encourage women to apply to the position with no restrictions.

APPLICATION

Interested candidates should send a motivation letter, CV and references to [email protected] .

📌 Doctor/Phd Mechanial-Industrial Engineering or similar (Madrid)
🏢 THERMOPHOTON
📍 Madrid