Surface roughness – a help or a hindrance?

Eligibility: UK/EU/International students with the required entry requirements

Funding details: Bursary plus tuition fees (UK/EU/International)

Duration: Full-Time – between three and three and a half years fixed term

Application deadline:  20th September 2021

Interview dates: Will be confirmed to shortlisted candidates

Start date: January 2022

For queries please contact Dr Paul Griffiths.

Introduction

Coventry University is inviting applications from suitably-qualified graduates for a fully funded PhD studentship at Centre for Fluid and Complex Systems.

Project details

It is traditionally assumed that a body exhibiting surface roughness will have an increased skin-friction drag when compared to a perfectly smooth counterpart. However, recent research suggests that this is not always the case. The practical relevance of this insight is that it opens up the possibility of using suitably designed roughness as a means of developing new drag reduction techniques.

Given that skin-friction drag is a major contributing factor to worldwide fuel consumption (and, therefore, greenhouse gas emissions) determining mechanisms by which it can be reduced is vital if, as a society, we are to meet global CO2 production targets.

In this project we aim to model a variety of practically relevant flow configurations that are passively controlled by the addition of surface roughness. The global aim of the project is to answer the question: "what type of surface roughness minimises skin-friction drag, and how can this be best utilised in practice?"

This implementation of the right sort of roughness may bring about considerable environmental benefits and significant cost-reduction to the aerodynamics community.

This an Applied Mathematics PhD project and, as such,  it is expected that the successful candidate will have completed high-quality first degree in Mathematics of Physics to include a Masters level project in the area of fluid mechanics.

Funding

This is a fully-funded studentship including full tuition fees (UK/EU/International) plus stipend (based upon the applicable UKRI rate at the point of the award) and additional allowances.

Benefits

The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills.

All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral College and Centre for Research Capability and Development, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.

Entry requirements

• A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the Project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average.

PLUS

• The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a three-year and a half period of study.
• A minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).

In addition

In addition to the candidate specification above it is expected that the successful candidate will have completed a high-quality first degree in Mathematics of Physics to include a Masters level project in the area of fluid mechanics. Computational modelling skills are required (one or more of MATLAB, Python, C++, etc.), experience with asymptotic modelling is seen as an advantage but not a requirement.

How to apply

All applications require full supporting documentation and a covering letter.

Informal enquires are encouraged and should be addressed to Dr Paul Griffiths.