Research Fellow in Wave Driven Fluid Mechanics

About us

UCL Mechanical Engineering is a research‑intensive department, with 96% of its REF 2021 submission to UoA12 rated world‑leading or internationally excellent.

The Department is seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work on the ERC Starting Grant SurFSUP (Surfing on Free Surfaces by Undulating Propulsion). The project investigates Wave‑Driven Propulsion (WDP), in which a floating body achieves locomotion using self‑generated surface waves. The objective of the project is to develop a hydrodynamical description of WDP through a combination of experiments, simplified theory, and numerical modelling.

About the Role

The postholder will be based in the Marine, Autonomy and Robotic Systems (MARS) research group and will lead the experimental component of the project, working closely with colleagues responsible for theoretical and computational modelling. Experimental work will be carried out at UCL’s Bloomsbury campus, with access to laboratory facilities including a flume and wave tank.

The role involves the design and construction of a dedicated hydrodynamics tank for wave‑driven propulsion experiments; the development of experimental techniques for measuring free‑surface flows, including Fast Checkerboard Demodulation (FCD); and the design and construction of simplified surfer robots. The postholder will conduct experimental investigations of wave–body interactions across a range of regimes, from capillary‑dominated to inertial flows, and will develop data acquisition, imaging, and post‑processing analysis pipelines. The role also includes contributing to the integration of experimental and modelling components of the ERC project.

About You

Applicants should hold a PhD in applied mathematics, physics, engineering, or a closely related discipline, with a strong background in fluid mechanics. Candidates should have experience of experimental research, including the design or construction of experimental systems or instrumentation, and expertise in data acquisition and analysis (e.g. MATLAB or Python). Experience with image processing, prototyping and fabrication techniques, or robotics/mechatronic systems is desirable but not essential.

The position is funded for two years in the first instance, with the possibility of extension.

Please include a Supporting Statement in support of your application and describe how you meet each criterion giving examples.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits. Please visit our Rewards and Benefits page to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Our department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.

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