Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow in Numerical Simulation of Multiphase Flows (FTC)

University of Nottingham; Wales; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on numerical simulation of multiphase flows. The role involves developing physical models for turbulent flows and collaborating with chemists and engineers. Candidates must have a relevant PhD and experience in CFD, with excellent communication skills. This full-time position offers a fixed-term contract for 18 months with immediate availability.

Benefits

Participation in international conferences

Exposure to interdisciplinary research

Qualifications

• Must hold or be about to obtain a PhD.
• Experience with multiphase reactive flows simulation.
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on numerical simulation of multiphase flows.
• Develop models for three-dimensional turbulent flows.
• Collaborate with team and present research results.

Skills

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Complex fluid dynamics simulation

Open-source CFD software

Excellent communication skills

Education

PhD in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or related

Tools

CFD software customization

Job description

Closing Date
Wednesday 27 August 2025

Reference
ENG198925

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow to work in the field of numerical simulation of multiphase flows under the supervision of Dr Mirco Magnini in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham. The position is part of a larger project in collaboration with the School of Chemistry and you will work in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary team comprising chemists with expertise in organic chemistry, reactor design and innovative process analytics, and engineers with skills in fluid modelling, Life Cycle Assessment and sustainability.

You will conduct the research activities into the computational fluid dynamics simulation and optimisation of vortex reactors. You will develop physical and numerical models for the three-dimensional simulation of turbulent Taylor-Couette flows, incorporating high-fidelity approaches to simulate a two-phase gas-liquid system, with embedded photo- and electro-chemistry reactions. You will then utilise the developed tool to perform systematic simulations and explore physical and chemical processes in detail, eventually linking key geometrical and operational parameters to the efficiency and yield of the reactor. Throughout the project, you will work in close collaboration with the team designing and testing the reactors to validate your simulation outputs, and your data will directly feed to the research undertaken by another team responsible in Life Cycle Assessment. You will also take part to engagement activities with the industrial partners, present the results of your research in international conferences and write scientific articles for publication in leading peer-reviewed journals.

Candidates must hold, or be about to obtain, a PhD in engineering, applied mathematics or a related subject area, with a major component in using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Experience simulating complex fluid dynamics processes, preferably multiphase reactive flows, using and especially customising CFD software is an essential requirement for this position. Experience with opensource CFD software, including code development, is considered a strong asset. Excellent oral and written communication skills and a track-record demonstrating high-quality peer-reviewed journal publications on a topic relevant to the advertised position are essential.

This is a full-time post available immediately and will be offered on a fixed-term contract for a period of 18 months.

To apply, please submit a CV, a publication list and a cover letter. For informal inquiries, please contact Dr Mirco Magnini - [e-mail] . Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

The University of Nottingham's Faculty of Engineering is the first engineering department in the country to be awarded an Athena SWAN Gold award - an accreditation which rewards excellence in advancing gender equality across higher education and research. You can read more about what this means at https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/engineering/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/athena-gold/index.aspx

The University of Nottingham is a signatory of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, aiming to improve employment and support for researchers and research careers in UK higher education: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/researcher-academy/advocacy/concordat.aspx