We are seeking talented, enthusiastic and motivated applicants wishing to undertake research work for a PhD in Fluid Mechanics. Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates with strong interests in fundamental or applied fluid mechanics. Opportunities are available in both experimental and theoretical aspects of fluid mechanics. Applicants should have or expect to obtain a good honours degree (either first or upper class second) in Engineering, Mathematics or Physics.
The research interests of the group are varied. If you are interested in undertaking a PhD with us, we suggest that you have a look through our research pages as well as taking a look at the work carried out by our present and past researchers.
Current PhD Opportunities in the Fluid Mechanics group
Speculative queries are welcomed at any time.
Specific PhD opportunities are listed on the Departmental site: PhD Funding Opportunities
We are affiliated with the new EPSRC CDT in the Mathematics for our Future Climate which starts in October 2024. If you are interested in one of the fully funded studentships with an emphasis on Fluid Mechanics, please contact Professor Graham Hughes g.hughes@imperial.ac.uk.
Make an informal inquiry
To make an informal enquiry please email Rebecca Naessens (r.naessens@imperial.ac.uk) with a recent CV, your research area(s) of interest and an indication as to whether or not you have funding (or are looking for a funded position). Please ensure that your CV includes:
- the outcome/overall grade (or classification) you achieved for your Undergraduate and Masters level study and
- your nationality (which informs your fee level - Home/EU or Overseas).
Your information will then be circulated to the academic staff in the section for review. You should hear back from us within three weeks. Enquiries may be made at any time of year.
Alternatively, please consult the academic staff list below and contact those you wish to work with directly.
For more information about the PhD programme, please visit the Department's postgraduate research pages. This page includes details of fees, what to put into an application, and how to apply.
View potential PhD supervisors
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Henry BurridgeSenior Lecturer in Environmental Fluid Mechanics, PhDTransport of heat and mass by convection; Convection in the built environment; Effective ventilation of buildings; Modification of natural materials for use in buildings. |
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Adrian CallaghanSenior Lecturer, PhDDirector of MSc Engineering Fluid Mechanics for the Offshore, Coastal and Built Environments Breaking waves; Surface water waves; Two-phase flows; Air-entrainment; Upper ocean turbulence. |
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Marios ChristouSenior Lecturer in Fluid Mechanics and Mathematics, PhD, DIC, MEng, ACGIMetocean, Offshore and coastal engineering; Wave statistics; Freak/rogue waves; Analysis of field measurements; Wave-structure interaction; Wave-vessel interaction; Infragravity waves; Side-by-side and tandem offloading; Boundary Element Modelling. |
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John CraskeSenior Lecturer, Imperial College Research Fellow, PhDUndergraduate Examinations Officer Building physics; Buoyancy-driven turbulence; Jets and plumes; Numerical analysis; Inverse problems; Adjoint methods; Flow optimisation; Data assimilation. |
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Graham HughesChair in Environmental Fluid Mechanics, PhDHead of Fluid Mechanics Section Buoyancy-driven flows; Stratified turbulence and mixing; Convection; Turbulent plumes and jets; Flow energetics. |
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Ioannis KarmpadakisLecturer in Coastal Engineering, PhDCoastal engineering, wave heights, crest heights, wave breaking, coastal structures, nonlinear waves, shallow water depths, statistics Email Ioannis |
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Li MaLecturer in Fluid-Structure Interaction, PhD, DIC, MEng, ACGIFluid-structure interaction; Renewable energy systems; Extreme waves; Load statistics; Reliability; Hydrodynamic impacts; Wave-in-deck; Convective flows Email Li |
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Costanza RoddaLecturer in Fluid Mechanics, PhDGeophysical fluid mechanics, wave-vortex interactions, turbulence, buoyancy-driven flows, building ventilation, laboratory experiments, data-driven modelling |
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Daniel Valero HuertaSenior Lecturer, PhDHydraulic engineering; Hydraulic infrastructure; River flows; Multiphase flows; Plastic in rivers; Air-water flows; Sediment-laden flows |
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Maarten van ReeuwijkProfessor of Urban Fluid Mechanics, BSc MSc PhDBuoyancy driven flows; Atmospheric and oceanic turbulence; Sustainable cities; Flow and dispersion in urban canopies; Heat and mass transfer; Direct Numerical Simulation; Large-eddy simulation. |
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Fluid Mechanics Academics A-Z |
Download our Departmental Research Brochure
View current researchers and their research topics
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Umniya Al KhaliliStarted Oct 2022Numerical simulation of waves over coastal bathymetries Supervised by: Christou, M.; Karmpadakis, I. Email Umniya |
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Yusuf AlmalkiStarted Jan 2020Coastal waves / Floating bodies Supervised by: Swan, C.; Karmpadakis, I. Email Yusuf |
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Nada AlsulaimanStarted Feb 2021Numerical modelling of the thermal effluent of power plants in a shallow, semi-enclosed bay Supervised by: Piggot, M; van Reeuwijk, M. Email Nada |
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Vasilis BellosStarted Jan 2020Wave propagation over complex coastal bathymetry Supervised by: Karmpadakis, I.; Swan, C. Email Vasilis |
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Rui CaoStarted Nov 2018Breaking wave energy dissipation, air entrainment and bubble statistics in the absence & presence of wind forcing Supervised by: Callaghan, A; Swan, C. Email Rui |
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Lianzheng CuiStarted Oct 2022Turbulent entrainment in stratified oceanic multiphase flows Supervised by: van Reeuwijk, M.; Hughes, G. Email Lianzheng |
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Lei DaiStarted Oct 2020The effective modelling of hydrodynamic impacts Supervised by: Ma, L.; Swan, C. Email Lei |
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Lizzie EllisonStarted Oct 2018Carbon dioxide sequestration through ocean fertilization and potential for harvest of calcium carbonate from marine organisms As part of the CDT in Sustainable Civil Engineering Supervised by: Mashayek, A; Cheeseman, C.R. Email Lizzie |
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Pu GongStarted May 2018Numerical study of the natural ventilation driven by an occupant’s heat output considering the effect of radiation Supervised by: Hughes, G.; Burridge, H.C Email Pu |
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Steven (Cheong) HuoStarted Oct 2019Development of a probabilistic wave loading model for offshore structural designs Supervised by: Swan, C.; Ma, L.; Karmpadakis, I. Email Steven |
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Canwei JinStarted Jan 2022Peering inside breaking waves Supervised by: Callaghan, A; Craske, J Email Canwei |
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Cleo JongedijkStarted Dec 2017Lagrangian tracking of plastic particles in coastal areas and evaluation of beaching Supervised by: van Reeuwijk, M., Alsina, J. Email Cleo |
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Younmo LeeStarted Apr 2017Wave-structure and wave vessel interactions Supervised by: Swan, C.; Ma, L. Email Younmo |
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Lucy Xinlu MaoStarted Oct 2021The reliability of offshore floating wind farms Supervised by: Swan, C.; Ma, L.; Karmpadakis, I. Email Lucy |
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Sam OwensStarted Oct 2019Towards real-time simulation of urban air quality and microclimate Supervised by: van Reeuwijk, M. Email Sam |
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Xiwu PangStarted Nov 2021Simulating fluid load on offshore wind turbines Supervised by: Christou, M. Email Xiwu |
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Joe PeachStarted Oct 2019Measuring the space and time evolution of the geometric, kinematic and dynamic properties of oceanic breaking waves Supervised by: Callaghan, A; Benetazzo, A; Bidlot, J. Email Joe |
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Nick ReynardStarted Oct 2018As part of the CDT in Sustainable Civil Engineering Supervised by: Mashayek, A; Cheeseman, C.R. Email Nick |
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Rodrigo RibeiroStarted Sep 2020Uncovering the criteria for ship-contrail formation using high fidelity simulations Supervised by: van Reeuwijk, M. Email Rodrigo |
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Chenduo WangStarted Oct 2022Understanding stochastic behavior of passive tracers transport and thermal effects in built environment Supervised by: Craske, J; Hughes, G. Email Chenduo |
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Chris WilsonStarted Oct 2021Quantifying variability of the surface energy balance in heterogeneous vegetated urban areas Supervised by: van Reeuwijk, M. Email Chris |
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William WrightStarted Oct 2023Addressing coastal erosion: Stochastic modelling of shoreline evolution under a changing climate Supervised by: Craske, J; Karmpadakis, I. Email William |
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Fluid Mechanics Research Students A-Z |
Meet some of our alumni
Eirini Spentza
Eirini Spentza
Vanessa Katsardi
Vanessa Katsardi
View completed PhD research titles
- Fluid Mechanics Alumni 2020-2023
- Fluid Mechanics Alumni 2010-2019
- Fluid Mechanics Alumni 2000-2009
- Fluid Mechanics Alumni 1990-1999
2023
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Baker, Lois | The generation, propagation, and mixing of oceanic Lee waves Supervised by: Mashayek, A. |
Constantin-Cosmin, Craciunescu | Physical Properties of Breaking Waves in Unidirectional Sea States Supervised by: Christou, M. |
Mader, Johanna | Forward and inverse modelling of thermal stratifications in confined spaces Supervised by: Craske, J. |
2022
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Higton, Thomas | The fluid mechanics of unbalanced horizontal exchange flows in naturally ventilated buildings Supervised by: Burridge, H.C |
Hossain, Md Rakib | Reconstructing flow from thermal wall imprint Supervised by: van Reeuwijk, M.; Craske, J. |
Vouriot, Carolanne | The potential for spatial variations in exposure and infection risk within a typical UK classroom: COVID-19 as a case study Supervised by: Burridge, H.C; van Reeuwijk, M. |
Zve, Sotiria | Nonlinear interactions in random seas and crest-height statistics for sea-states in finite water depth Supervised by: Swan, C.; Hughes, G. |
2021
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Bangun, Emma | Nonlinear forcing, response and damping of Oscillating Water Columns Supervised by: Swan, C., |
Dieu, Emily | Mixing and transport in inclined gravity currents Supervised by: Hughes, G. |
Fiuza Dosil, Daniel | Improved models for natural displacement ventilation Supervised by: Burridge, H.C; Hughes, G. |
Gray, Alexander | Extreme waves under significant wind stress As part of the CDT in Sustainable Civil Engineering Supervised by: Swan, C., Christou, M. |
Jordan, Owen Huw (MPhil only) |
Turbulent plumes in a uniform crosswind Supervised by: van Reeuwijk, M.; Vassilicos, J.C. |
Le Cornec, Clemence | Real-world variability, modelling and mitigation of road transport emissions Supervised by: Stettler, MEJ.; van Reeuwijk, M. |
Satheesh Kumar Nair, Vishnu | Particle and droplet dynamics at cloud-environment interfaces Supervised by: van Reeuwijk, M. |
Sutzl, Birgit | Rising from the ground: Distributed drag parameterization of urban environments for numerical weather prediction As part of the CDT in Mathematics of Planet Earth Supervised by: van Reeuwijk, M.; Cotter, C.; Rooney, G (Met Office) |
2020
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Capril-Carniere Auwerter, Liliane | Low friction surfaces for water transmission As part of the CDT in Sustainable Civil Engineering Supervised by: van Reeuwijk, M., Cheeseman, C., Tempelton, M. |
Eichentopf, Sonja | Beach morphodynamics under sequences of high and low energy wave conditions Supervied by: Christou, M.; Alsina, J. |
Grylls, Tom | Large-eddy simulation of air quality and building energy efficiency in urban areas As part of the CDT in Sustainable Civil Engineering Supervised by: van Reeuwijk, M. |
2019
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Beyer, Magnus | Nonlinear interactions of waves with arbitraily-sheared currents Supervised by: Swan, C. |
Hadjigeorgiou, Demetris | Nonlinear wave interactions in realistic sea states Supervised by: Swan, C.; Christou, M. |
Karmpadakis, Ioannis | Wave statistics in intermediate and shallow water depths Supervised by: Swan, C.; Christou, M. |
Padilla de la Torre, Enrique | Wave-group propagation and hydrodynamics in the inner surf and swash zones Supervised by: Swan, C.; Alsina, J. |
Suter, Ivo | Simulating the impact of blue-green infrastructure on the microclimate of urban areas Supervised by: van Reeuwijk, M. |
2018
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Alpresa Gutierrez, Paola | Fluid dynamics of orbitally-shaken shallow fluid layers Supervised by: van Reeuwijk, M.; Sherwin, S.; Weinberg, P. |
Kaisman, Erwan Hafizi | Numerical modelling of wave interactions with a vertical surface-piercing column. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: |
Ma, Li | The effective modelling of wave-in-deck loads. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Swan, C. First destination: Post-doc position in the Fluid Mechanics Section |
2017
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Makri, Isavella | Hydrodynamics of floating offshore wind turbines. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Christou, M. First Destination: |
De Lutio, Livio | Extreme waves in intermediate and shallow water depth [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Senior Analyst, Data Science & Analytics at Criteo |
Bruggemann, Mark | Floating body hydrodynamics: A load driven approach. [Read the abstract] Supervisor: Spinneken, J., Swan, C. First Destination: Evergreen Innovations |
2016
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Aknin, David | Creating a shallow-water experimental wave environment. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Spinneken, J., Swan, C. First Destination: Operations Assistant Manager on the ECO scheme at Ofgem |
Craske, John | Unsteady turbulent jets and plumes. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: van Reeuwijk, M. First Destination: Academic position at Imperial College |
Haley, Joe | Fluid forcing in the crests of large ocean waves. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Shell |
Rodriguez, Marcos | The nonlinear wave loading and dynamic response of a freely-floating two-dimensional box. [Read the abstract] Supervisor: Spinneken, J., Swan, C. First Destination: Offshore Structural Engineer, Ramboll (Offshore Wind) |
2014
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Acred, Andy | Natural ventilation in multi-storey buildings: a preliminary design approach. [Read the abstract][Read the abstract] Supervised by: van Reeuwijk, M., Hunt, G.R. First Destination: Research Associate, University of Cambridge |
Shrinivas, Ajay Balasubramanian | Unconfined and confined turbulent plumes and jets in stratified environments. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Hunt, G.R., van Reeuwijk, M. First Destination: |
Latheef, Mohamed | Surface wave statistics in directionally spread seas. [Read the abstract] Supervisor: Spinneken, J., Swan, C. First Destination: |
2013
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Ely, Alice | Numerical modelling of viscous and turbulent free-surface flows using smoothed particle hydrodynamics. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Scientist, Hydrodynamics & Metocean Group, HR Wallingford |
Connick, Owen | The fluid mechanics of hybrid ventilation. Supervised by: Hunt, G.R. First Destination: Technology Analyst at ClearViewIP |
Burridge, Henry | The behaviour of miscible Boussinesq fountains in uniform quiescent environments. [Read the abstract][Read the abstract] Supervised by: Hunt, G.R. First Destination: Post-doctoral researcher, University of Cambridge |
Lynch, Paul |
Aspects of the fluid mechanics of night-purging multi-storey atrium buildings. [Read the abstract]
Supervisor: Hunt, G.R.First Destination: Engineer, ARUP |
2012
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Peric, Milena | Nonlinear wave interactions with multiple bodies in close proximity. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Civil and environmental engineer, ASMEC, Serbia |
2011
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Ezzamel, Adam | Free and confined buoyant flows. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Hunt, G.R. First Destination: Senior Geotechnical Engineer, Senergy Energy Services |
Myrtroeen, Joergen | Negatively buoyant fluid projectiles. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Hunt, G.R. First Destination: Trainee in SN Power |
Roos, Jannicke | Wave-structure interaction. The effective prediction of wave-in-deck loads. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Management Consultant, McKinsey & Co. |
Spentza, Eirini | Nonlinear wave interactions with fixed and floating bodies leading to unexpected wave impacts. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Metocean engineer at GL Noble Denton |
Archibald, Stuart | Modelling of extreme ocean waves using high-performance computing. [Read the abstract] Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Technical member of staff at OpenGamma |
2009
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Economidou, Marina | Transient buoyancy-driven flows in multi-storey buildings -- the fluid mechanics Supervised by: Professor G. R. Hunt First Destination: Senior Expert in Energy Efficiency at Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) |
Spinneken, Johannes | Wave generation and absorption using force-feedback control Supervisor: Swan, C. First Destination: Lecturer, Imperial College London |
Larice, Giuliana | Classifying steady states in emptying-filling boxes Supervisor: Professor G. R. Hunt First Destination: Management Consultant, PWC |
Cooper, Jonathan | The role of atria in the passive ventilation of multi-storey buildings Supervisor: Professor G. R. Hunt First Destination: Civil Engineer, Transport for London |
Radomski, Simon | Ventilation driven by complex heat distributions Supervised by: Professor G. R. Hunt. First Destination: Anglican Church |
2006
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Hague, Caroline | Fully nonlinear computations of directional waves, including wave breaking Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: MSc in Web Intelligence at King's College London |
Masterton, Stephen | Nonlinear wave-structure interaction: scattering, forcing and dynamic response Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Shell International Exploration & Production B.V. |
Allgayer, David | Air and heat movement by revolving doors Supervised by: Professor G. R. Hunt First Destination: Structural Engineer, Expedition Engineering |
Coffey, Chris | The fluid mechanics of emptying boxes Supervised by: Professor G. R. Hunt First Destination: Ministry of Defence |
Christou, Marios | Fully nonlinear computations of waves and wave-structure interaction Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Shell International Exploration & Production B.V. |
Syrios, Kostas | Natural ventilation of buildings in urban canyons Supervised by: Professor G. R. Hunt |
2005
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Katsardi, Vasiliki (Vanessa) | Surface water waves in intermediate and shallow water depths Supervised by: Swan, C. |
Tzivanaki, Kalliopi (Kelly) | The measurement of surface water waves simultaneously in space and time Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Researcher, National Technical University of Athens |
2004
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Sheikh, Rizwan | Wave scattering from a vertical, surface-piercing cylinder Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: Shell International Exploration & Production B.V., |
Gibson, Richard | Wave interactions and wave statistics in directional seas Supervised by: Swan, C. First Destination: British Petroleum (BP) |
2002
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Fung, C F (Chak Fai) | The structure of air-flow over waves Supervised by: Swan, C. |
2000
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Bateman, Will | Numerical modelling of extreme 3-D waves Supervised by: Swan, C. |
James, Richard | Nonlinear wave-current interactions Supervised by: Swan, C. |
Chamberlain, Neil | Oil spills in a wave environment Supervised by: Swan, C. |
1990-1999
Name | Title and supervisor |
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Smith, Susan | Large transient waves in shallow water Supervised by: Professor C. Swan |
Black, Duncan | The interaction between waves and an overlying air flow Supervised by: Professor C. Swan |
Bashir, Tahir | Nonlinear inertial loading and the onset of structural "ringing" Supervised by: Professor C. Swan |
Kwan, S H (Shun Hang | A study of the near-field characteristics of round turbulent jets discharged int Supervised by: Professor C. Swan |
Johannssen, T B | The effect of directionality on the nonlinear behaviour of extreme transient oce Supervised by: Professor C. Swan |
Cummins, Ian | Nonlinear wave-current interactions Supervised by: Professor C. Swan |
Baldock, Tom (T E) | Nonlinear transient water waves Supervised by: Professor C. Swan |
Our academic standing
MEng Accredited CEng (Full)
Our degrees are accredited as fully satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.
National Student Survey
- Overall Satisfaction, 90.2 (2022), 89.9 (2021); 78.1 (2020); 88% (2019)
QS World Universities rankings
- Subject Ranking. Civil Engineering = 6th (2022); 6th (2021); 5th (2020); 6th (2019)
- Overall, Imperial was voted 7th best university in the world in the 2022 rankings.
Guardian University Guide (UK)
- Subject Ranking. Engineering: Civil = 3rd (2022); 4th (2021); 1st (2020); 1st (2019)
- Overall, Imperial was ranked 7th in this year's Guardian university guide.
The Times Higher Education world ranking
- Subject Ranking. Engineering and Technology = 14th (2021); 11th (2020); 12th (2019)
- Overall, Imperial was ranked 11th best university in this year's rankings.
The Sunday Times Good University Guide (UK)
- Subject Ranking. Civil Engineering = 1st (2022); 4th (2021); 4th (2020); 3rd (2019); 1st (2018)
Complete University Guide
- Subject Ranking. Civil Engineering = 2nd (2023), 8th (2022); 7th (2021); 6th (2020); 2nd (2019); 1st (2018)
- Overall, Imperial ranked 5th best university in this year's rankings.
- REF 2021. 75% of our research was considered 4* (highest rating), and the remaining 25% at 3* (unit of assessment: engineering).
- REF 2014. 47% of our research assessed to be 4* (highest rating), 48% assessed to be 3* and 5% assessed as 2* (unit of assessment: civil and construction engineering).
- RAE 2008. 40% of our research assessed to be 4* (highest rating), 55% assessed to be 3* and 3% assessed as 2* (unit of assessment: civil engineering).
Life as a PhD student in the Department
Emily Dieu - Skempton PhD Scholar