Hollow cathode plasma sources are unique especially by the high ionization rate per unit power. This is achieved especially thanks to secondary electron emission, which is further enhanced by a geometrical factor, wall heating and optionally wall surface modification. Hollow cathode plasma sources have applications e.g. in material science or electric propulsion systems for satellites. The aim of the thesis is to develop physics-based numerical models of a hollow cathode reactor and determine under which conditions are these models equivalent. In particular, the student will formulate and implement a two-dimensional fluid model of non-LTE plasma and a zero-dimensional global plasma model with similar physics. The expected advantage of the global plasma model is especially its high computational efficiency, the expected disadvantage is neglecting some of the geometrical effects. The thesis is related to the applied research project M-era.net MIST and the simulation tools will be provided to the student by the PlasmaSolve company. The student will also be given the opportunity to validate model results against plasma characterization performed by project partners.