An EPSRC DLA Studentship on Inter-Scale Causality in Wall-Bounded Turbulence is open in the Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge.
The project aims to develop a new, spectral framework to analyse and understand wall turbulence, by quantifying how turbulent eddies of different lengthscales interact with each other through the non-linear, advective term in the momentum equations. The idea is then to use this framework to map inter-scale causality, characterising the turbulent cascade, and to identify the essential paths in these maps, with applications to reduced-order modelling and flow control. The project will also aim to use these maps to understand how the dynamics of the turbulent cascade and turbulent dissipation are altered in flows over complex and textured surfaces, compared to those over smooth walls.
The student will conduct high-fidelity, time- and space-resolved direct simulations of turbulence over smooth and rough/complex surfaces. The analysis will be data-driven, requiring new postprocessing tools to handle large volumes of data, with a possible use of machine-learning tools.
Applicants should have, or be expected to gain a high 2:1, preferably a 1st in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, Maths (fluids/applied), or a related subject. A good knowledge or experience in fluid mechanics, calculus and differential equations and numerics is required.
EPSRC DLA studentships are fully-funded (fees and maintenance) for students eligible for Home fees. EU and international students may be considered for a small number of awards at the Home fees rate. Full eligibility criteria can be found via the following link; https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance/fees/what-my-fee-status.
To apply for this studentship, please send your two-page CV with a cover letter/email to r.gmayoral@eng.cam.ac.uk, to arrive no later than 31 Jan 2025.
Please note that any offer of funding will be conditional on securing a place as a PhD student. Candidates will need to apply separately for admission through the University's Graduate Admissions application portal; this can be done before or after applying for this funding opportunity. The applicant portal can be accessed via: www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/egegpdpeg. The funding is conditional on submitting this application before 31 March 2025.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.