PhD student position in cavitation breakup

Applied Mechanics’ activities are characterized by academic excellence in an international environment and interaction with the society, industry and various types of networks. The Department is one of the leading environments within Vehicle and Mechanical Engineering research. The topics encompass both fundamental and applied research questions. Our goal is to deliver sustainable, technological soulutiones for society through applied mechanics.

Our research contributes among other things to more energy efficient and safer vehicles, better and more environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, modeling light weight materials, safer rail transports and sustainable energy supply.

The Department of Applied Mechanics offers a wide range of courses in the undergraduate programmes, in addition to two international Masters programmes in Automotive Engineering and Applied Mechanics. Courses are available within the three graduate schools: Machine and Vehicle Systems, Solid and Structural Mechanics and Thermo and Fluid Dynamic. In addition Applied Mechanics provides international continuation courses.

The department has approximately 190 employees.


Information about the research
The position's field of research is the experimental investigation of how cavitation bubbles contribute to the physics of primary breakup. Primary breakup is the process by which an intact liquid stream of fuel breaks up to form a flow of droplets (i.e. a spray). The position is within the EU Marie Curie Innovative Training Network program HAoS which is coordinated by City University London. Chalmers has two Ph.D. positions within HAoS, one experimental and one computational. The program is dedicated to spray breakup physics with an emphasis on the development of a unified modelling approach including cavitation inside nozzles and jet break-up. The HAoS consortium consists of several top European universities and internationally well-known companies.

The position is located within the division of Combustion at the Department of Applied Mechanics, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg. The research at the division of Combustion covers a wide range of topics related to internal combustion engines of both fundamental and applied character. The division has state-of-the-art experimental facilities and a strong CFD research group. The research is very often done in close cooperation with national and international partners from both academia and industry. The main goals for the CFD research group are the development of predictive turbulent (spray) combustion models which are required to develop more efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles.

Major responsibilities
Within the project you will develop an experiment that introduces known cavitation-like bubbles into a turbulent flow that we are currently studying. The bubbles will be formed in a well-controlled stream just at the exit of a spray nozzle. You will then use various optical techniques (some of them laser based, but with the help of others) to observe the history of these bubbles and the effect they have on primary breakup of the continuous liquid column. You will also analyze the data, including some image processing. The project is part of a joint European research program and requires travel to and presentation of the project's progress and results at regular consortium meetings.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

Qualifications
For the position a master's level degree awarded by an internationally recognized university in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or Physics, or the equivalent (e.g. a 4-year BS from a highly rated US college) is mandatory. The candidate should have very good knowledge in fluid mechanics, turbulence, and experimental techniques. Experience conducting experiments, especially application of imaging and optical techniques, are regarded as an advantage for the position.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20150280 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically via CHalmers webpage.


Application deadline: August 30, 2015

For questions, please contact:
Prof. Mark Linne,
Division of Combustion,
mark.linne@chalmers.se,
+44 7719 563432 

*** 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 eight Areas of Advance; Built Environment, Energy, Information & Communication Technology, Life Science, Materials Science, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, 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!