We are a research group led by Dr. Dezhi Zhou at the UM-SJTU Joint Institute (JI), Shanghai Jiao Tong University: JI Multiscale (JIM) Combustion Lab. Dr. Zhou is an Associate Professor at UM-SJTU Joint Institute, SJTU. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (2013) and his Ph.D. from the National University of Singapore (2017). Following his doctoral studies, he was a Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore (2017-2019) and a Research Associate at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Dr. Zhou joined UM-SJTU JI as an Assistant Professor in 2021, and became an Associate Professor in 2023. His research focuses on physics and AI driven methods for high-fidelity multi-scale and multi-phase reacting flow simulations. He is the PI of NSFC, MOST, the Shanghai Science and Technology Committee, and the Shanghai Education Commission grants.

Research Interests

Fundamental Research

  • AI-enpowered high-performance algorithms for high-dimensional and stiff ODEs and PDEs
  • Turbulent combustion modeling
  • Aerosol and particle dynamics in flames
  • Chemical kinetics and mechanism reduction

Applications

  • Physics-informed operator learning for ODEs and PDEs
  • Internal combustion engines, gas turbines, scramjets, and detonation engines
  • Soot formation and evolution in combustion systems
  • Flame synthesis of functional materials
  • Development and reduction of chemical mechanisms for realistic fuels

Prospective Postdocs and Graduate Students

We are actively recruiting highly motivated postdoctoral researchers with expertise in AI-enhanced algorithms for reacting flows, turbulent combustion, and soot formation.
Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Prof. Zhou via email with their CV.

We also have 1-2 Ph.D. openings and 1-2 Master’s openings annually.
If you are interested in pursuing graduate studies at UM-SJTU JI, please email your CV to Prof. Zhou.
Further details can be found at: UM-SJTU JI Admission Information.

Opportunities for SJTU Undergraduate Students

We welcome highly self-motivated undergraduate students to join our research group.
If you are interested, please email Prof. Zhou (dezhi.zhou@sjtu.edu.cn) or visit his office (Longbin Building 521).
Each undergraduate student will be assigned a well-designed research project.

Our undergraduate alumni have published in top journals. Notable examples include:

  • Hao Zhang (ME, JI) – Published a first author paper in ProCI, a third author paper in CNF; Winner of the only first prize at the first international OpenFOAM Combustion Workshop; now master student at Stanford University.
  • Mo Yang (ECE, JI) – Published a paper in Energy and AI; now PhD student at University of Toronto.
  • Yuting Weng (ECE, JI) – Published a paper in JPCA; now master student in our group.
  • Shijie Zhong (ME, JI) – Submitted a paper to Fuel; now PhD student at JHU.