The successful candidates will be working in a collaborative team developing advanced marine vehicles. One focuses on computational and experimental marine hydrodynamics for propulsion systems, and one focuses on autonomous technology integration for future marine vehicles.

 

The University of Newcastle upon Tyne was founded in 1871 for the teaching of physical sciences and engineering. Teaching and research are delivered in 24 academic schools and 40 research institutes and research centres, spread across three Faculties: the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; the Faculty of Medical Sciences; and the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering. The School of Engineering was formed in 2017 bringing together long-established engineering research and teaching groups in chemical, civil, electrical & electronic, geomatics, marine and mechanical. In REF 2021, 46% of the research outcomes in Engineering research have been ranked with 4* as world leading-research with 69% increase in research power from 2014. Marine, Offshore and Subsea Technology (MOST) group is an international recognised discipline in Newcastle with a successful track record delivering research projects powered by world leading research facilities, including the Emerson Cavitation Tunnel, the Princess Royal research vessel, the fully turbulent flow channel, the towing tank and the combined wind, wave and current tank.

 

We are recruiting two new research associates to join our research team. Talented, skilled and self-motivated individuals are sought to carry out high-quality research in computational and experimental marine hydrodynamics for novel marine vehicles, including large ships and small AUVs. One post holder will focus on the research about fluid dynamics around novel propulsor for high efficiency and low noise operation. And the other post holder is expected to work on system integration towards autonomous capability. You are expected to perform advanced computational fluid dynamics analysis using StarCCM+/OpenFoam, conduct the experimental test using our cavitation tunnel, the combined tank and the research vessel, and develop a novel maritime system for clean maritime and autonomous.

 

Suitable candidates will have a prior background in naval architecture, ocean engineering and mechanical engineering. You should be already familiar with the majority of simulation and experimental techniques (e.g. StarCCM+, OpenFoam, Matlab, LabView, Rhino, PIV, openwater, cavitation, noise tests.). Prior research experience in propeller design and optimisation and AUV development is highly desirable. It is also fundamental that you have to be proficient in CAD modelling.

 

You will be a highly enthusiastic, self-motivated and diligent individual with an inquiring mind and a particular interest in marine hydrodynamics to drive forward our understanding and capabilities in this area. You will be eager to learn and enhance your own competencies. You need clearly demonstrate your potential in scientific research by an excellent track record of research outputs and have an ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal skills, planning and time management skills, and problem-solving skills are also essential. You must be capable of maintaining current knowledge of the literature and generating new research ideas.

 

If you would like further details on this project, please contact Dr Weichao Shi (Weichao.shi@newcastle.ac.uk).

We welcome applications from exceptional students with the potential to become independent researchers. We welcome students from all over the world with a wide range of backgrounds. Students are expected to have a Master level of degree or a first class equivalent Bachelor level of degree.

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Our research focuses on applicable biomimetic solutions for maritime industry with specialities in numerical and experimental marine hydrodynamics. Our research interests are primarily in the below area:

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• Marine Renewable Energy

• Marine Propulsion

• Marine Autonomous Vehicles

 

Scholarships

All students can apply for scholarships. Please find the available scholarship from the below link.

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/degrees/8070f-28/

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For Chinese students, we support the application for China Scholarship Council, http://www.hongmojing.com/csc/.

 

Application

To apply for a PhD study, you must apply through the online university system.

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/degrees/8070f-28/

As an international research team, we welcome researchers to all over the world to conduct their academic visit with us to establish joint research activities. We would welcome researchers from a wide range of disciplines, covering

• Marine hydrodynamics,

• Naval architecture,

• Ocean engineering,

• Underwater vehicle technology,

• Biomimetics,

• Advanced materials,

etc.