Research Assistant / Associate in Fluid Mechanics (Turbulent Cloud Microphysics)

Location: South Kensington Campus

Job Summary

Applications are invited for the post of Research Assistant/Associate in the Department of Aeronautics. The successful candidate will have the exciting opportunity to work on a cutting-edge project to assess the importance of turbulence intermittency for cloud physics and in particular rain formation, funded by ERC (acronym TITCHY) through the UKRI underwrite scheme. This will involve performing novel experiments to simulate clouds using the state-of-the-art equipment and facilities within the Department of Aeronautics as well as running high-fidelity direct numerical simulation (DNS) in conjunction with Prof. Carlos da Silva at IST Lisbon. This post is part of a five-year programme of research that will ultimately see a research team of seven people being assembled. This will be the first hire of the project and so offers a rare chance to shape the direction of a large research project involving  academic collaboration with leading academics at Imperial and in Portugal.

Applicants’ track records should demonstrate excellence in acquiring experimental data and applying fundamental turbulence theory and analysis tools. Experience of running DNS is also desirable, although not essential. Applicants are expected to have a strong publication record, commensurate with their experience. Applicants will also be expected to work collaboratively with other members of the research team towards the common goal of understanding the role of turbulence intermittency for cloud physics.

Duties and responsibilities

You will:

• Oversee the design and fabrication of appropriate experimental setups for simulating clouds/entrainment in both wind tunnels and a hydrodynamics flume.
• Lead the experiments, in terms of setting up, data acquisition, and analysis.
• Run large-scale DNS of turbulent/turbulent entrainment in collaboration with Prof. da Silva, travelling to/from Lisbon
• Assist with the analysis of data.
• Ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times.
• Direct the work of small research teams.
• Submit publications to the best journals.
• Present findings to colleagues, travelling widely to international conferences.
• Provide advice to other staff and students.
• Assist with the publication of findings.
• Attend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary.
• Develop contacts within the College and the wider community.

Essential requirements

You should:

• Hold, or be close to obtaining, a PhD in turbulent fluid mechanics.
• Have experience in experimental fluid mechanics.
• Possess a good knowledge of turbulent fluid mechanics.
• Possess good written and oral communication skills

Further Information

Applicants are required to fill out an online application.

Should you require any further details on the role please contact Dr. Oliver Buxton: o.buxton@imperial.ac.uk.

For technical issues when applying online please email recruitment@imperial.ac.uk

For queries regarding the recruitment process - Lisa Kelly: l.kelly@imperial.ac.uk

The College is a proud signatory to the San-Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions, we evaluate applicants on the quality of their work, not the journal impact factor where it is published. For more information, see https://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/about-imperial-research/research-evaluation/

Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment. We are an Athena SWAN Silver award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Disability Confident Employer and work in partnership with GIRES to promote respect for trans people.

Closing date: 26^th May 2024

To apply, visit www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs and search by the job reference ENG03095.

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