Research Fellow: Thermofluid Topology Optimization

University of Southampton; England; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Southampton invites applications for a Research Fellow to advance computational methods for large-scale thermofluid topology optimisation. The role focuses on extending our in-house framework to design high‑performance fluid–thermal systems under turbulent flow and heat transfer, with emphasis on numerical robustness and scalable algorithms.

You will contribute to scalable optimisation, adjoint‑based sensitivity analyses, and high‑performance CFD, collaborating with experts in flow

Qualifications

• Strong background in CFD, preferably OpenFOAM.
• Experience in topology optimisation and adjoint methods.
• Familiarity with HPC and multi-physics design problems.
• Interest in extending topology optimisation to 3D thermofluid systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop scalable optimisation algorithms for large-scale thermofluid systems.
• Contribute to adjoint-based sensitivity analysis and robust CFD.
• Advance the OpenFOAM-based framework for turbulent flow and heat transfer.
• Collaborate with flow simulation and experimental groups.

Skills

CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)

Topology optimisation

Adjoint-based sensitivity analysis

High-performance computing

Turbulent flow modelling

Heat transfer

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Tools

OpenFOAM

Job description

University of Southampton invites applications for a Research Fellow to advance computational methods for large-scale thermofluid topology optimisation. The role focuses on extending our in-house framework to design high‑performance fluid–thermal systems under turbulent flow and heat transfer, with emphasis on numerical robustness and scalable algorithms.

You will contribute to scalable optimisation, adjoint‑based sensitivity analyses, and high‑performance CFD, collaborating with experts in flow