Research Assistant / Associate in Experimental Fluid Mechanics

Location: South Kensington Campus.

About the role:

This position of Research Associate (postdoc) is part of a collaborative research project funded by the EPSRC (UK) and NSF (USA), whose goal is the characterization and modelling of the turbulent flow physics that emerge when two (or more) neighbouring wind farms interact with each other, and with the surrounding atmospheric boundary layer. Understanding these physics is critical for the development of novel wind farm flow models that will aid the development of efficient wind farm clusters in the North Sea, the US great plains. 

What you would be doing:

You will be part of a team led by Dr. Steiros (Imperial), and co-led by Prof Cal (Portland State - PS) and Prof Calaf (Utah University - UU). Multiple PhD students will also be employed in the project. The project will benefit from the support of industrial partners (Orsted, NREL, Cener, Supergen ORE hub) who will join the project’s advisory committee. You will perform experiments of scaled wind farms, conducted in the 10x5 wind tunnel of Imperial College London, one of the largest in Europe, utilizing the state-of-the-art laser diagnostic equipment of the Aeronautics Department. The datasets will be compared to numerical data (UU), and field measurements, obtained from Orsted. The goal of the team is to identify and model the entrainment processes which ‘replenish’ the kinetic energy deficits generated by interacting wind farms, and in that manner develop the new generation of wind farm flow modelling tools.

What we are looking for:

We are looking for applicants with sound knowledge of fluid mechanics/turbulence and experience on:

• Wind tunnel measurements of turbulent flows  
• Particle Image Velocimetry/Hot wire anemometry.
• Turbulence theory
• Wind turbine aerodynamics
• Mechanical design

What we can offer you:

• Be part of a team trying to answer one of the most burning and timely questions in wind farm aerodynamics and applied turbulence research.
• The unique possibility to utilize the state-of-the-art experimental methodologies at our disposal (UK’s National Wind Tunnel facility).
• Collaborate with leading academic and industrial partners in UK and USA.
• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Grow your career: Gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).

Further Information

Expected start date is 1 September 2026 at the latest.

This is a 26 month contract. 

If you require any further details on the role please contact: Kostas Steiros – k.steiros@imperial.ac.uk.                                                                

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

If you encounter any technical issues while applying online, please don't hesitate to email us at support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk. We're here to help.

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