Short Bio

Mechanical Engineer, PhD in Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics. Proficient programmer ( python + ML + webdev ), modeling and data engineering, physics simulation ( CFD / FEM / CAD / CAE ). Excited by new technologies, Gen AI, drones, robots. Some of my hobbies: cooking, photography, investing and finance, football and running. Based in Brussels; fluent in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and semi-capable in French.

Experience

Research Scientist

von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics

  • Researcher in the H2020 European project zEPHYR.
  • Derived an aeroacoustic ring model for broadband noise prediction.
  • Studied aerodynamic and aeroacoustic installation effects of ducted wind turbines.
  • Designed blade, airfoil, and diffuser-augmented wind turbine configurations.
  • Developed a low-cost vortex panel method for DAWT analysis in Python.

Research Engineer

Siemens Industry Software

  • Researched computational methods for wind turbine performance and acoustic behavior.
  • Analyzed aerodynamic and aeroacoustic behavior of diffuser-augmented wind turbines.
  • Worked on hybrid methodologies for tonal and broadband noise prediction.

Reliability Engineer

Bosch Thermotechnology

  • Analyzed heating device load profiles under combustion, corrosion, stress, and fatigue drivers.
  • Developed test procedures to assess reliability under representative loads and conditions.
  • Coordinated combustion chamber CFD analysis and agile engineering workflows.

Master Thesis Intern

Bosch Thermotechnology

  • Developed a CFD turbomachinery model using k-omega RANS.
  • Created a semi-anechoic sound test bench and wind tunnel fan performance setup.
  • Proposed CAD-based design alternatives validated with reductions up to 3.7 dB.

Apprenticeship

Renault CACIA

  • Repaired and prepared industrial production machines.
  • Designed preventive maintenance plans and LOTO safety procedures.
  • Analyzed machine degradation causes and maintenance history.

Education

PhD in Aerodynamics & Aeroacoustics

University of Twente, the Netherlands

Master in Mechanical Engineering

University of Aveiro, Portugal

Master in Automotive Engineering

Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Poland

Publications and Projects

Aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of diffuser-augmented wind turbines

Gonçalves, R. (2025). Doctoral dissertation, University of Twente.

  • Aerodynamics
  • Aeroacoustics
  • CFD
  • Research
DOI PDF

Extension of Amiet's theory to circular geometry

Gonçalves, R. P., Bresciani, A. P. C., & Schram, C. (2025). The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 158(4), 3133-3151.

  • Aeroacoustics
  • Research
  • Scientific Computing
DOI PDF

Prediction of diffuser noise footprint of a ducted wind turbine

Gonçalves, R. P., Ahmed, F., & Schram, C. (2026). Applied Acoustics, 242, 111079.

  • Aerodynamics
  • Aeroacoustics
  • CFD
  • Research
DOI PDF

Vortex Panel Method

A Python-based vortex panel method for aerodynamic analysis of diffuser-augmented wind turbines, enabling rapid parametric studies and design iterations.

  • Python
  • Panel Methods
  • Aerodynamics
  • CFD
Project

Job Tracker

A full-stack web application for tracking job applications, managing statuses, and visualizing progress.

  • Next.js
  • Python
  • Full-Stack
  • Web Scraping
  • APIs

Cont@ct me

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