Rolls-Royce has recently founded a University Technology Centre in Nuclear Engineering, located in the Nuclear Research Group in the Mechanical Engineering Department of Imperial College. The Centre has launched a major research programme in the application of advanced analysis methods to fluid flow in nuclear reactors, comprising six research studentships in the field of Nuclear Engineering.

We are seeking a further PhD student, to work on a project that involves coupling of CFD analysis of a nuclear fuel channel, under conditions approaching dry-out and critical heat flux, with empirically-based phenomenological modelling of the processes of droplet entrainment and deposition, that between them determine the propensity of the fuel to dry out and hence fail.

The work will be performed alongside, and be complementary to, associated research in related areas, including an experimental program being conducted in India, as a collaboration between the Indian BARC laboratory and our group. Work will conducted in close collaboration with engineers at Rolls Royce actively engaged on submarine reactor analysis. To help ensure effective two-way technology transfer, and to help ensure the industrial relevance of the research, it is likely that it will be necessary to spend periods at the Rolls Royce site in Derby.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. Ideal candidates would have a very good first degree in a relevant engineering or science subject, including a strong component of fluid mechanics and thermal-hydraulics, and have at least some experience in the application of computational fluid dynamics, and some knowledge of its physical and mathematical basis. You will need to be computer literate, and capable of using these tools effectively. You will become a skilled communicator, comfortable in an international situation. Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential. Bursaries of £21,000 pa will be paid to exceptional candidates, over a project duration of four years.

To find out more about research at Imperial College London in this area, go:

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/mechanicalengineering

For information on how to apply please go to:

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/mechanicalengineering/research.

Interested applicants should send up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Walker ats.p.walker<στο>imperial.ac.uk. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be assessed by College Registry. The security requirements are such that this position must be filled by a UK citizen, and a degree of security clearance will need to be undertaken. In your application, please confirm explicitly that you hold UK citizenship, and give the passport number of your current valid United Kingdom passport. (If you hold joint citizenship, confirm explicitly what is the second citizenship.)

Closing date 31 January 2015

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