The Turbomachinery group at Imperial College London is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to study centrifugal compressor aerodynamic performance using cutting-edge computational modeling techniques. The research award is funded by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), and the postholder will work closely with industry stakeholders to contribute to developing new technology for a sustainable future in the Energy and Transportation sectors.
Centrifugal compressors have been widely used in turbochargers to enable emission reductions of automobiles. It will also play an important role in the future applications of fuel cell boosting, heat conversion and storage systems, hydrogen transportation, etc. Better understanding and further improving centrifugal compressors’ performance are crucial for the applications leading to a successful energy transition.
The role of this post is to conduct research to understand the flow mechanisms that cause aerodynamic instability in centrifugal compressors and provide guidelines on the compressor design to enhance stable operating range. Using modern Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with high-performance computing facilities would enable an in-depth understanding. In this role, it also aims to propose and design experimental facilities for the following projects to validate the findings and theories obtained from the numerical modeling.
The postholder will work with Dr Teng Cao within the Department of Mechanical Engineering Thermofluids Division.
We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we received a high number of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Your research work will involve numerical simulations of centrifugal compressor steady and unsteady performance in high-performance computing facilities and/or on GPUs.
- You will be carrying out systematic studies of the effect of the design parameters on the compressor performance.
- You will have the opportunity to develop theories and guidelines for the compressor design.
- You will propose and design experimental facilities for the following projects to validate the findings and theories obtained from the numerical modelling.
- You will be involved in regular meetings with the industrial sponsor and delivering project reports.
Skills, knowledge and experience
- For Research Associate, you should have (or be close to completing) a PhD in a relevant subject area.
For Research Assistant, candidates will need to hold a degree.
- You must have an appreciation of Turbomachinery, Thermal and Fluid dynamics.
- Evidence of publications in the field of Turbomachinery Aerodynamics is required.
- Experience in Computational Fluid Dynamics would be considered an advantage.
Key information:
This is a fixed term position for up to 18 months in the first instance.
*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant within the salary range £36,694 – £39,888 per annum.
Our preferred method of application is via our website. Please visit our website using the provided link for more information about the post and the application process.
Queries relating to the position should be directed to Dr Teng Cao at [email protected]
We are committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex, or sexual orientation. We are an Athena SWAN Silver Award winner, a Disability Confident Leader and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.