Applications are invited for a PhD studentship in experimental fluid mechanics within a collaboration between the Applied Mathematics Research Centre, Coventry University (http://www.complexity-coventry.org/home/) and the Fluid Dynamics Research Centre, University of Warwick. The goal of the planned research is to understand the conditions in which turbulent flows exhibit two or three-dimensional dynamics, when subject to intense rotation.

Turbulence is one of the major unresolved problems in classical mechanics. The characteristics of turbulence are substantially affected by background system rotation. Coriolis forces associated with system rotation are responsible for many phenomena entirely absent in non-rotating flows and they can often appear counterintuitive to the layman. One such phenomenon induced by rotation arises in turbulent flows where the energy transfer between vortical flow structures (or “energy cascade”) proceeds in opposite directions in rotating and non-rotating flows. In non-rotating flows ordered structures become disordered. The goal of the present study is to investigate the intermediate regime when successively increasing levels of system rotation begin to affect the flow dynamics. The main question to be answered is how the emergence of two-dimensionality progressively reverses the energy cascade.

Turbulent flows will be generated inside the unique large-scale rotating-tank facility at the University of Warwick. The rig is the largest of its type in the world and enables experimental studies that cannot be conducted elsewhere. Early Pictures and video showing the apparatus can be accessed athttp://www.eng.warwick.ac.uk/staff/pjt/turntabpics/builtank.html.

During the present study turbulence will be forced at the bottom wall of the container via a modular array of jets and the flow will be diagnosed using particle-image velocimetry. You will be developing the setup required for the purpose of this particular research and you will be in charge of conducting the experimental  programme and the subsequent data analysis. The detailed statistical characteristics of turbulence will be measured and their variations with the relevant governing parameters (rotation rate, container geometry, forcing scale and intensity etc.) will be explained by arguments based on modern turbulence theory.

This work will be co-supervised by A Pothérat (Coventry) and P.J. Thomas (Warwick), and will lead to a joint PhD award from both universities upon successful completion.

Candidate specification

• A taught Masters degree in a relevant discipline, involving a dissertation of standard length written in English in the relevant subject area with a minimum of a merit profile: 60% overall module average and a minimum of a 60% dissertation mark
• The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a three-year 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)
• Knowledge and/or experience in the subject
• Strong interests in experimental research are essential for this project and the relevant experimental abilities will have been demonstrated at MSc level. 

Award Details: Due to funding regulation this position is available to EU citizens only.

Duration: Full-Time - 3 years fixed term or Part-Time - 5 years fixed term