PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: Turbulence Under Strain (AE0082)

Start Date: Between 1 August 2026 and 1 July 2027

Introduction: Richard Feynman famously quoted ‘turbulence is the most important unsolved problem of classical physics’. Understanding and modelling turbulent flow physics will unlock a vast potential for optimising many applications of the energy and transportation sectors. While the last century has produced breakthroughs in our understanding of turbulent flows, these are confined in two extreme and polar-opposite regimes: when turbulence is highly or when it is lowly strained. Still, the physics of the in-between regime of intermediate-strain, which is critical for a wide variety of engineering and environmental applications, remains unexplored.

You will join a team of researchers that experimentally quantify the flow-physics of fundamental turbulent flows, as their mean strain is varied from high to low levels, and will document the failure of classical theories to describe intermediate strain regimes. The produced data-set will be utilized to develop a novel theoretical framework for intermediate strain turbulence, based on previous work conducted in Imperial College London. The project will heavily rely on laboratory experiments, conducted in the state-of-the-art wind tunnel facilities of the Department of Aeronautics, and will utilize novel theoretical and machine learning tools.

You can expect to become an expert in aerodynamics and turbulent flows, and to have developed skills in experimental fluid mechanics, statistics, data processing, machine learning, and mathematical modelling.

Supervisors: Dr Kostas Steiros

Duration: 3.5 years.

Funding: Full coverage of tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of £22,780 for Home, EU and International students.

Eligibility: Due to the competitive nature of these studentships, candidates will be expected to achieve/have achieved a First class honours MEng/MSci or higher degree (or international equivalent) in: Engineering or a closely related discipline.

How to apply:

• Stage 1: Submit your 2-page curriculum vitae (CV), transcripts and 300-word statement explaining your motivation for applying to this PhD Studentship to: Supervisor Review Form. Our supervisors will perform a comprehensive review to long-list candidates.

Deadline: 8 January 2026

• Stage 2: Supervisors will email further instructions and an application link to long-listed candidates, inviting them to make a formal application to the PhD Studentship.

Contact: For questions about the project: Dr Kostas Steiros

For queries regarding the application process, email Lisa Kelly, PhD Administrator

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Imperial is committed to equality and valuing diversity. We are an Athena SWAN Silver Award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Disability Confident Employer and are working in partnership with GIRES to promote respect for trans people.

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