Cambridge Postdoctoral Associate in Thermoacoustics

A position exists for a postdoctoral associate to work on experimental measurements and laser diagnostics of aeroengine injectors, targetting thermoacoustic characteristics. The project is funded by EPSRC and EU grants and will involve significant collaboration with Rolls-Royce. The aim of the project is to understand the origins of thermoacoustic behaviour of different aeroengine injectors and what factors control the response of the flame to thermoacoustic perturbations.

Acoustically-coupled combustion oscillations are a concern in industrial gas turbines, where they have led to long commissioning times, unplanned maintenance and gaps in operation. Such oscillations are also expected in current and next generation fuel-lean aeroengine combustors. Passive control strategies are needed to minimize the amplitude of the pulsations in order to achieve cleaner power production.

The project will be developed in the Intermediate Pressure Combustion Facility at Cambridge, investigating full size injectors at realistic operating conditions up to 10 bar and 600 oC. The successful candidate will have a background in combustion and laser diagnostics and/or thermoacoustics. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in high pressure devices or laser diagnostics (PLIF/PIV and related imaging techniques), great attention to detail and ability to work under tight deadlines.

The candidate will perform most of her/his research activities in the Cambridge Combustion Group, a large group in the overall area of combustion, with state of the art experimental facilities.

The starting salary details are dependent on experience, but will range from £27,428 to 31,798. The starting date will be as soon as possible for 18 months, with an end date of May 2013. Further details may be obtained from Prof. Simone Hochgreb, Department of Engineering, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, (Tel +44 1223 764098, email: simone.hochgreb@eng.cam.ac.uk), to whom a letter of application, CV, sample publications and list of references should be sent as soon as possible.


Further Particulars
The research involves operation of a high pressure, high-temperature combustion rig, the Cambridge High Pressure Facility, with the assistance of a dedicated technician, with the objective of understand the behavior of self-excited and forced spray flames.

The work is funded by the EU (TECC-AE, KIAI), EPSRC and Rolls-Royce plc. There
are several interrelated work packages to be delivered, all focusing on using imaging diagnostics to measure species, liquid fuel and flame characteristics. The facility is reasonably automated, but the researcher will be expected to be adept at debugging experimental problems and coming to grips with a relatively complex system involving a number of controls. Training is available by the resident technician as well as an experienced post-doc. The researcher will be expected to comply with all safety and procedure regulations for the facility. Although some of the geometries used are proprietary, it is expected that the results will be publishable after agreement with the lead sponsors.

The candidate is expected to have experience in relevant experimental techniques in
combustion, particularly with regards to laser imaging. Essential to the position are the ability to manage a project independently, to organize the work and communication, to collaborate effectively with other members of the technical and professional staff, and to work using planned, safe and prudent practices. Excellent professional communication skills, both in writing and technical presentations, are highly desirable. Periodic reporting to sponsors and other stakeholders will be required.

Candidates are encouraged to enclose publications and a list of referees along with their CVs. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview for the final selection.

Postdoctoral position in Numerical Simulations of Combustion at University of Southampton

 A postdoctoral research fellowship is available within the School of Engineering Sciences (University of Southampton), which has consistently been ranked among the top UK engineering schools for teaching and research excellence.

The fellow is to conduct a fundamental study of combustion instabilities using direct numerical simulation (DNS). The work is part of a larger EPSRC funded project that consists of three aspects:
(a) analysing flame-acoustic interactions mathematically in order to derive simplified models for acoustic-flame coupling
(b) performing high-fidelity DNS to validate and extend the mathematical models
(c) developing and implementing active control algorithms for combustion instabilities.

The research is a collaboration between Professor X. Wu and Dr. A. Morgans (Imperial College London) and Professor K. H. Luo (Southampton). You will based in Southampton will work on DNS of combustion instabilities using massively parallel supercomputers. Youshould have or will shortly gain a
PhD in combustion or other related areas. Research experience in combustion instabilities, combustion noise, premixed flames as well as advanced numerical simulations will be advantageous. Competence in
programming in Fortran/C++ and parallel algorithms is also desirable.

This post is available from 1st April 2011 for up to 3 years. Salary - £27,319 – £30,747 per annum.

Enquiries should be made to Prof. K. H. Luo with a CV or by telephone at +44 (0)23 8059 7202 . Enquiries about the post based in Imperial College should be addressed to Prof X.Wu. Please apply on-line using the link below, or alternatively call 023 8059 2750 . The closing date for applications is 28 February 2011 at 12.00 noon. Please quote reference number 5224-11-B in all correspondence.