PhD Studentship: Noise Reduction in Positive Displacement Compressors and Expanders

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship in the Department of Engineering. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on creating design tools for the development of quieter positive displacement compressors and expanders (PDMs).

This PhD project focuses on creating design tools for the development of quieter positive displacement compressors and expanders (PDMs). The intended outcomes of this project are twofold: first, a dedicated tool to predict the sound levels produced by PDMs will be developed and, second, guidelines for the reduction of noise in such systems will be proposed.

The PhD student will work closely with the world's leading experts in rotating machinery under the Chair. The overall objective is to create design tools that assist engineers in the development of a new generation of highly efficient PDMs with a low noise footprint. These tools will be validated with experimental results obtained in the state-of-the-art laboratory within the Centre for Compressor Technology.

Eligibility and requirements 

It is expected that the candidate has a good mathematical background, excellent knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and vibrations and holds a Master's degree in mechanical engineering or related discipline. Good skills in using programming languages such as Python or similar are desired. The candidate is expected to have a positive attitude toward teamwork, ability to work proactively and independently and is motivated to learn and contribute to this multidisciplinary project.

Scholarship:  The studentship is for 3 years and will provide an annual tax-free stipend of £21,000 and tuition fees.

An extra £1,500/year salary supplement will be offered to all successful candidates from underrepresented communities. In particular, the stipend supplement will be reserved for female, LGBTQ+ and disabled applicants.

Optional: Additional income: Each student may also have the opportunity to earn around £2,200/year on an average (max. is around £4,300/year) through a teaching assistantship.

A doctoral candidate is expected to meet the following pre-requisites for their PhD: 

• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of their research area;
• Achieve and demonstrate significant depth in at least a few chosen sub-areas relevant to their primary research area;
• Demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research, including a critical assessment of their own and others’ research.

If you are interested in applying, I will be happy to address any initial informal enquiries via email ivona.ivkovic-kihic@city.ac.uk.

How to apply

Visit our online course prospectus to apply.  You should enter the title of the research project as your proposal when applying.

For queries regarding the application process, please contact pgr.sst.enquire@city.ac.uk

City, University of London is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all its activities, processes, and culture for our whole community, including staff, students and visitors.

We welcome applications regardless of age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital status, nationality, pregnancy, race and ethnic origin, religion and belief, sex, sexual orientation and socio-economic background. City operates a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants.

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