PhD Studentship: Nonlinear waves in axisymmetric geometries

University of East Anglia; Norwich; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PhD stipend

UK funding

Job summary

University of East Anglia is seeking a PhD candidate to investigate classical and novel water-wave dynamics on non-flat geometries. The project will address axisymmetric systems, conjugate flows, and solitary waves, using cutting-edge applied mathematics and modelling techniques.

Entry requires at least a 2:1 in Mathematics or Physics. The funded studentship covers home fees and a UK stipend for 3 years, with a current rate of £21,805 per year, subject to inflationary uplifts.

Qualifications

• 2:1 in Mathematics or Physics as the standard entry requirement.
• Strong mathematical and analytical abilities.
• Experience in PDEs, fluid dynamics, or computational modelling is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Investigate fluid dynamical wave propagation on non-flat geometries.
• Study conjugate flow solutions and solitary waves, and explore stabilization mechanisms.
• Apply numerical computation and asymptotic analysis to challenging open questions in the project.

Skills

Mathematics

Physics

Education

2:1 in Mathematics or Physics

Job description

The classical water wave problem provides a foundational framework for modelling gravity waves on liquid surfaces—from ocean swells to river flows. Incorporating additional physical mechanisms such as capillarity (surface tension), electrical forces, and shear fields reveals extraordinarily rich physical phenomena and complex wave dynamics. While traditional models focus on waves over flat base states, this research will tackle water-wave dynamics in non-flat geometries. Axisymmetric systems (such as waves on the surface of a liquid jet) provide a fertile ground for exploring and understanding novel wave propagation phenomena in regimes where the underlying no-wave state is inherently unstable.

In this project, you will address fundamental open challenges in fluid dynamical wave propagation on non-flat geometries. This will include, for example, studying conjugate flow solutions, solitary waves, and stabilization mechanisms. The project will involve the use of cutting-edge applied mathematics and modelling techniques, including numerical computation and asymptotic analysis. The student will develop a highly-valued skillset, developing expertise across theoretical mechanics, nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs), computational modelling, and nonlinear mathematical methods.

Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirement is 2:1 in Mathematics or Physics.

1 October 2027

Mode of study

Full-time

Additional Funding Information

This PhD project is in a competition for a Faculty of Science funded studentship. Funding is available to UK applicants and comprises ‘home’ tuition fees and an annual stipend for 3 years. The current UEA / institutional PhD stipend rate is £21,805 and will be subject to any agreed inflationary uplift for 2027/28.