Thesis - Vehicle cabin cool down & heat up using CFD

We are Geely Technology Europe. A unified European R&D centre within Geely Auto Group, where world-class engineers, developers and innovators push the boundaries of intelligent mobility. Our mission is to shape the next generation of vehicle architectures, digital technologies and intelligent systems for global markets. We integrate European customer and regulatory requirements early in the development process and support multiple brands within the Geely portfolio, including Zeekr, Lynk & Co and Geely. With nearly two decades of engineering experience in Europe, we continue to build smart, sustainable and user‑centric mobility solutions.

Project Description: 

Cabin comfort is a key aspect of vehicle quality and customer satisfaction. As the automotive industry continues its transition toward electrification, efficient climate control systems have become increasingly important due to their direct impact on vehicle energy consumption and driving range.

Traditionally, the performance of automotive air conditioning (AC) systems is evaluated through extensive physical testing, which is both costly and often only possible late in projects.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) offers the possibility to predict airflow patterns, heat transfer, and temperature distribution within the passenger compartment during the vehicle development process. However, accurately simulating cabin thermal behavior remains challenging due to the complex interactions between HVAC airflow, solar loads, interior surfaces, occupants, and transient operating conditions. A robust and efficient CFD methodology is therefore needed to enable reliable virtual assessments of AC system performance.

Objectives

The objective of this master thesis is to develop a CFD-based methodology for evaluating the cooling performance of automotive air conditioning systems with respect to cabin temperature distribution and thermal comfort.

The developed methodology should provide a systematic approach for predicting cabin temperatures during cooling events and support the assessment of HVAC system effectiveness in reducing thermal loads within the vehicle interior.

Project steps:

• Literature study.

• Develop a CFD methodology using Star-CCM+

• Investigate possibilities to incorporate 1D-tools such as GT-suite

• Validate the numerical methodology with existing experimental test data

• Write thesis

Key focus areas: CFD, Fluid dynamics, Heat transfer, AC Performance, Climate comfort

Your skills and background

• Ongoing MSc in Applied Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Mobility Engineering, Engineering Physics or similar.

• High level of initiative, self-driven and good analytical capabilities.

• Interest in fluid dynamics and CFD in general.

• Previous experience of Star-CCM+ is preferred, but not a requirement.

Why you should join Geely Tech Eu

We are engineers, developers, and innovators from around the world. Joined together by entrepreneurship, our unique blend of global culture, and a belief in a smarter more sustainable future. At Geely Tech Eu we fast-track innovation and transform ideas into pioneering technology solutions, doing your master thesis here is no different. We are convinced that a thesis project is a major contribution to our innovation capabilities and long-term development. You'll have a great opportunity to use your skills and creativity to push the boundaries of what´s possible.

What happens when you apply
If this sounds interesting and you match the requirements, please don't hesitate to submit your application with a CV and cover letter. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview to further discuss the project's details and expectations. 

This thesis project is intended for 1-2 students

Supervisor: Johannes Johannes Varosy, 3D CFD Engineer Energy Management [email protected], please contact for more information about the project

Starting date: January 2027

Last application date: 2026-10-31

Apply today. We will perform ongoing selection during the application period. We look forward to hearing from you!

Please note that due to GDPR regulations, we can only accept applications sent through the recruitment system, not via email or other channels.