PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: Turbulence – droplet interactions for cloud microphysics (AE0066)

Start Date: Earliest start date is 1 August 2025 and latest start date is 1 July 2026.

Introduction: Turbulence in clouds causes the liquid water droplets to collide and coalesce, forming larger and larger droplets until they are eventually large enough to fall as raindrops. Our understanding of the interaction between cloud-turbulence and droplets is, however, limited for all droplets except the very smallest that form directly from the condensation of water vapour. This drives large uncertainties in numerical weather prediction (NWP) for global climate models, which in turn has important consequences since clouds play a vitally important role in the global energy budget.

In this project we will conduct state-of-the-art numerical simulations of water droplets that are large enough to initiate a two-way coupling between the droplets and the cloud-turbulence on some of the world’s leading supercomputers to better understand these droplet – turbulence interactions, and as a result generate a better understanding of the cloud microphysics behind the generation of rainfall. This will be in support of a NERC-funded project, including the Met Office, to try and improve the parameterisation of cloud microphysics for more accurate NWP.

Objectives:

• Conduct high-fidelity simulations of cloud-like turbulence containing “large” water droplets using supercomputers.
• Identify the physics of the two-way interaction between the turbulence and the droplets and any departures from the “classical” behaviour.
• Identify ways in which this interaction can be parameterised.
• Disseminate your findings to the scientific community through archival scientific publications in top journals and attendance at international conferences.

Supervisors: Prof. Oliver Buxton, whose expertise lies in turbulence (with applications to cloud microphysics) and Prof. Sylvain Laizet whose expertise lies in computational fluid dynamics, high performance computing and turbulence.

Learning opportunities: You will develop knowledge and expertise in turbulence, high performance computing, and computational fluid dynamics.

Professional Development: You will have access to engaging professional development workshops in areas such as research communication, computing and data science, and professional progression through our Early Careers Researcher Institute. 

Duration: 3.5 years.

Funding: Full coverage of tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of £21,237 for Home, EU and International students. This project will run in parallel to a £1 million NERC-funded project looking to improve the parameterisation of rain production for NWP. 

Information on fee status can be found on our fees and funding webpages.

Eligibility: You must possess (or expect to gain) a first-class honours MEng./MSc. or higher degree or equivalent in Aeronautics/Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computing, Physics or related areas.

How to apply: Submit your application on our Apply Webpages. You will need to include the reference (insert reference) and address your application to Department of Aeronautics. When submitting your application, you will need to use the following details:

• Search course/Programme: Aeronautics Research (PhD)
• Research Topic: Please use reference number AE0066
• Research Supervisor: Prof. Oliver Buxton and Prof. Sylvain Laizet
• Research Group: Aero

For further information: If you have questions about the project, please contact Prof. Oliver Buxton: o.buxton@imperial.ac.uk or Prof. Sylvain Laizet: s.laizet@imperial.ac.uk

For queries regarding the application process, please contact Lisa Kelly at: l.kelly@imperial.ac.uk

Application deadline: 23 January 2025

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Imperial is committed to equality and valuing diversity. We are an Athena SWAN Silver Award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Disability Confident Employer and are working in partnership with GIRES to promote respect for trans people.