PhD student position

PhD student position in Modelling, simulation and analysis of flow and particle transport in gully pots – optimizing function and design in a changing climate

In our built environment, stormwater runoff from roads must be handled to prevent flooding as climate changes cause increased precipitation. Current understanding on the capacity of gully pots to handle future increased stormwater flows and to retain particles and pollutants is limited. The main focus of the project is to model the flow and transport of particles in a gully pot to understand the processes in and optimize the function and design of gully pots for removal of particles. This requires knowledge and experience of multiphase flow modelling. The project also includes building an experimental set-up of a gully pot. The experimental measurements are used to validate the model.

Information about the division and the research
The successful candidate will work at the division of Water Environment Technology (WET) at the department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at Chalmers. WET brings together scientists with expertise in water engineering, hydraulics, environment, and sustainability. Research is performed in a number of research fields, including stormwater, drinking water and wastewater engineering. The successful candidate will also work in close cooperation with the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI).

The aim and scientific challenge of this project is to close the knowledge gap on the capacity of gully pots to handle water volumes and retain particles and pollutants in conditions of increased stormwater flows due to changing climate. The retention time of particles with sorbed pollutants in the gully pot for dimensioning rain events is measured in an experimental set-up and modelled using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-model. The experimental set-up of the gully pot will be built in the project, and the experimental measurements will provide validation for the simulations. The model of the gully pot is set up in the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software Star-CCM+ or Ansys Fluent and the simulations are solved on a computational cluster. The challenge when modelling a gully pot is the different phases that need to be captured: water, air, and particles. Preliminary results demonstrate that there is a risk of a short-circuit flow between inlet and outlet, where particles and water then leave the gully pot without having time to settle. Flow field and retention of particles and pollutants in the gully pot will be modelled, and improvements to optimize both flow capacity and particle retention in existing and new gully pots will be formulated.

Major responsibilities
As a PhD student you are expected to work independently and have the ability to plan and organise your work. You are able to work in close collaboration with other group members/partners; and have the skills to communicate scientific results, both orally and in written form in English. Knowledge of Swedish is advantageous due to close collaboration with Swedish stakeholders.

You are expected to participate in teaching at Bachelor and Master level courses in the field of civil and environmental engineering. Bachelor courses are taught in Swedish, and applicants that do not have Swedish as a native language should be able to teach in Swedish within two years of employment. Chalmers offers courses in the Swedish language.

Qualifications
To qualify for this position you must hold a Master degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Engineering Physics or a closely related field. Knowledge in fluid mechanics, multiphase flow and computational fluid dynamics is required. Additionally, experience and/or education in any or several of the following fields are advantageous: hydrology, stormwater, water quality, statistics, laboratory analyses, programming, chemistry, mathematical modelling, numerical analysis. The position also requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English. Furthermore, the candidate should appreciate to work both experimentally and with simulations.

We also believe that you are a motivated person, with a strong curiosity and a genuine wish to learn more and develop your skills and knowledge further in the fields of research, research communication and project management.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of four years, plus teaching (generally 10-20%). 

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.


Application deadline: 3 April 2022.
Read more and apply here: https://www.chalmers.se/sv/om-chalmers/Arbeta-pa-Chalmers/lediga-tjanster/Sidor/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=10321&rmlang=SE


*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
 



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!