Research Fellow in Data-Driven Fluid Mechanics

The University of Southampton with support from the UKRI is funding until 30/09/2027 full-time work on the use of data assimilation for turbulent flows.  

You will be working under the supervision of the UKRI Future Leaders Fellow Prof Christina Vanderwel on the project “Simulating air pollution in the lab”. The aim of this research is to apply novel data assimilation techniques to reconstruct wind patterns and air pollution in urban areas. Data driven methods will build on experiments conducted in the University of Southampton’s wind and water tunnel facilities using state-of-the-art laser diagnostics. The candidate will use discrete adjoint libraries in OpenFOAM to improve turbulence modelling of environmental flows. There will also be opportunities to get involved in other projects in experimental fluid mechanics including turbulent boundary layers, flow control, atmospheric flows, and diagnostics development. 

You will join a large and friendly aerodynamics group (http://www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/research/groups/afm.page) engaged in a wide range of experimental and numerical studies of turbulent flows. The AFM research group is comprised of experts in theoretical, computational and experimental fluid mechanics and our aim is to provide an environment in which these different approaches can be combined and focused on particular topics of practical importance. You will join a vibrant and supportive team of other postdoctoral researchers and graduate students working in different areas of fluid mechanics ranging from environmental flows to biomedical applications. 

To be successful you will have a PhD or equivalent qualifications and experience in data-driven fluid mechanics and turbulence.

Please contact Dr Christina Vanderwel (C.M.Vanderwel@soton.ac.uk) for further details about the position. 

Equality, diversity and Inclusion is central to the ethos in the School of Engineering. We particularly encourage women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic, LGBT and disabled applicants to apply for this position. In recognition of our continued commitment to improving equality for women in science we were awarded an Athena SWAN bronze in 2013 and 2016.   We give full consideration to applicants that wish to work flexibly including part-time and due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break. 

The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 10 of the UK’s research-intensive universities. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university and has recently been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.  Our vision is to embed the principles of sustainability into all aspects of our individual and collective work, integrating sustainable development into our business planning, policy-making, and professional activities.  This commits all of our staff and students to take responsibility for managing their activities to minimise harm to the environment, whether this through switching off non-essential electrical equipment or using the recycling facilities.

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