Research Studentship in Thermofluids of Composite Material Seals for jet engines

4-year DPhil studentship

Supervisor: Professor Peter Ireland

This studentship is being jointly offered by the University of Oxford and Rolls-Royce under the EPSRC Industrial CASE award scheme.

The Oxford Thermofluids Institute (Osney Laboratory) is looking for a doctoral student to research the technologies used in future jet engines to enable more efficient engine operation and reduced fuel burn. The project will study the science and application of advanced composites to be used in high speed rotating seals within the engine core. The research will focus on the implications of new, high temperature materials on the fluid flows and heat loads associated with advanced rotating seals. The research is supported by Rolls-Royce Aerospace and the Engineering and Physical Research Council and will combine experimental, analytic and computational studies. The doctoral student will join an enthusiastic and talented team of researchers led by Prof Peter Ireland. Informal enquiries should be made to Peter Ireland at peter.ireland@eng.ox.ac.uk. The successful candidate is expected to be awarded an ICASE award supported by Rolls-Royce.

Eligibility

This studentship is funded through the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Industrial Cooperative Awards in Science & Technology (CASE) Award Scheme and is open to both UK students (full award – fees plus stipend) and EU students (partial award – fees only). View full details of the EPSRC eligibility requirements.

Award Value

University course fees are covered at the level set for UK/EU students (£7970 in 2020-2021 academic year). The stipend (tax-free maintenance grant) will be c. £15009 for the first year, and at least this amount for a further three years.

Candidate Requirements

Prospective candidates will be judged according to how well they meet the following criteria:

• A first class honours (or high upper second) degree in Engineering or Physics with advanced level courses in thermofluids and heat transfer
• Experience of experimental research in the field of thermofluids applicable to jet engines – for example in in a final year project or advanced laboratory report
• Excellent English written and spoken communication skills

The following skills are desirable but not essential:

• Ability to program in Matlab
• Experience of ANSYS Fluent or similar CFD software package
• Experience of National Instruments LabVIEW

Application Procedure

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be addressed to Prof Peter Ireland.

Candidates must submit a graduate application form and are expected to meet the graduate admissions criteria. Details are available on the course page of the University website.

Please quote 20ENGTF_PI in all correspondence and in your graduate application.

Application Deadline

Noon on 24 January 2020

Start Date

October 2020