PhD Studentship - Bridging the Gap between Wind Tunnel and On-Track Aerodynamic Testing in Elite Cycling

Research theme: Mechanical engineering, sport engineering

How to apply: uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

This 3.5-year PhD project is fully funded by UK Sport Institute (UKSI) and The Faculty of Science and Engineering. Home students are eligible to apply. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26) and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is October 2026.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

In elite cycling, aerodynamic drag accounts for over 90% of the resistive forces acting on an athlete. Wind tunnels offer a controlled environment for optimizing rider posture, apparel, and equipment design. However, performance gains observed in the wind tunnel are not always fully replicated on race tracks and open roads, due to inherent differences between testing environments, caused by discrepancies in flow characteristics, riders-induced variability, and different types of measurement instruments used.

In this funded PhD project, a testing rig will be built and tested in both wind tunnel and on track aiming to understand the inherent differences between the testing environments caused by discrepancies in flow characteristics, riders-induced variability, and different types of measurement instruments used. The rig design will be guided and iteratively refined using CAD modelling and CFD simulations. A suite of flow measurement techniques will be used to characterize the testing environments, capture flow fields around the rider, and collect performance-related data. Differences between datasets from different testing environments will then be systematically analysed and understood with practical strategies proposed to improve correlation and consistency across testing environments aiming to accelerate equipment and apparel development, enhance athlete performance, and ensure more effective use of testing facilities.

The project will be undertaken in close collaboration with British Cycling (BC). BC will provide access to athletes, facilities, and applied design expertise while UoM provides expertise in CFD, instrumentation, and aerodynamic testing. This partnership ensures that the work is scientifically driven while remaining practically grounded.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

To apply please contact the main supervisor; Prof Shan Zhong - shan.zhong@machester.ac.uk. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

Advert information