At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct cutting-edge experiments on wind-turbine wakes and entrainment processes.
- Company: Join a leading research group at Imperial College London.
- Benefits: Receive full tuition fees and a tax-free stipend of £23,805 annually.
- Other info: Gain hands-on experience and access to a vast professional network for future career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in renewable energy while collaborating with top researchers in Copenhagen.
- Qualifications: First class honours degree in Aeronautical, Mechanical Engineering, Maths or Physics required.
The predicted salary is between 32870 - 40174 £ per year.
Start date: Between 1st August 2027 and 1st July 2028
Application deadline: 23:59, 4th January 2027 (UK time)
Wind turbines clustered together for reasons relating to land availability, onwards power transmission to the grid, and maintenance scheduling amongst others. Unfortunately, wind-turbine clustering is aerodynamically disadvantageous. Each turbine produces a turbulent wake that interacts with downstream turbines to reduce the efficiency of power generation and accelerate the accumulation of fatigue damage. Improved understanding of the spreading, and propagation of wind-turbine wakes is therefore essential to design more efficient wind farms. Wakes increase in size with distance downstream, similarly to a plume of smoke expanding as it leaves a chimney. The processes by which turbulent flows expand are, collectively, known as entrainment. Wind-turbine wakes are complex flows; they involve a background that is already turbulent (due to atmospheric processes) and contain multiple coherent motions such as the blade-tip vortices. All of these features complicate our understanding of entrainment into wind-turbine wakes.
You will perform cutting edge experiments to directly observe entrainment, and how the wake’s coherent motions affect these processes, in a laboratory-scale wind-turbine wake from a Lagrangian perspective (i.e. one that moves with the flow), by undertaking state-of-the-art particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) measurements. Our research group has conducted groundbreaking research in recent years on turbulent entrainment and this is the next, exciting step in the journey.
A key feature of this PhD project is that it will run in parallel to a project running at DTU (in Copenhagen) aiming to produce reduced-order models of wind-turbine wakes accounting for the coherent motions and entrainment that you will study. This project will therefore grant you the opportunity to collaborate with one of Europe’s leading research groups in wind energy as well as travel between London and Copenhagen.
You will also:
- Gain hands-on experience of PTV and running experiments in a water facility that is well optimised for entrainment measurements.
- Work in a research group that has taken a leading role in studying turbulent entrainment.
- Be expected to write cutting-edge papers and present your findings at international conferences.
- Gain access to Imperial’s network for professional development, helping you to make future career decisions.
Supervisor: Prof. Oliver Buxton
Duration: 3.5 years.
Funding: Full tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of £23,805 for Home, EU and International students.
Eligibility: Candidates will be expected to achieve/have achieved a First class honours MEng/MSci or higher degree (or international equivalent) in: Aeronautical, Mechanical Engineering; Maths or Physics. Students with a strong motivation, the ability to think and work independently, and a passion for fluid mechanics are welcome to apply. Previous experience with experimental fluid mechanics is desirable but not essential; a willingness and aptitude to learn new things is a far more important quality.
Contact: For project information, email: Prof. Oliver Buxton. For admissions questions, see our FAQs. If your question isn’t answered, email PhD Administrator (Admissions).
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.
PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: A Lagrangian Perspective of Entrainment into Wind-turbine Wakes (AE0091) in London employer: Imperial College London
Imperial College London is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation within the International Relations Office. Employees benefit from professional growth opportunities, a commitment to diversity, and the chance to engage in meaningful projects that have a global impact, all set in the heart of one of the world's leading academic institutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: A Lagrangian Perspective of Entrainment into Wind-turbine Wakes (AE0091) in London
✨Connect with University Networks
Let’s leverage your university connections! Many universities have aerospace engineering societies or workshops where major companies often scout for talent. Give those events a go, and don’t hesitate to chat with guest lecturers or industry professionals — they might just know about upcoming internships!
✨Get Involved in Relevant Projects
Hands-on experience is key in aerospace engineering! Look for summer projects, competitions, or even university research roles that showcase your skills. The more you can demonstrate practical experience, the better your chances at landing that internship!
✨Show Off Your Passion for Aerospace
Join online communities focused on aerospace engineering, like forums or LinkedIn groups. Participate in discussions and share your projects or insights. This visibility can set you apart and get you noticed by recruiters looking for passionate interns like you!
✨Consider Local Aerospace Events
Keep an eye out for aerospace expos or job fairs in your area. These are excellent opportunities to network face-to-face with potential employers. Bring some copies of your CV, and don't forget to mention that you're eyeing an internship with companies like Imperial College London!
We think you need these skills to ace PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: A Lagrangian Perspective of Entrainment into Wind-turbine Wakes (AE0091) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Relevant Skills:In aerospace engineering, it's key to highlight your technical skills upfront. Make sure to mention any design software you’ve used, like CATIA or SolidWorks, and detail any projects you’ve worked on, whether in university or personal endeavours. It shows you're ready to hit the ground running!
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Since this is an internship, we want to see your learning potential. Focus on relevant coursework, projects, and any hands-on experience in aerospace or engineering. Don't forget to include extracurricular activities like joining engineering clubs or competitions that can showcase your passion for the field!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Here’s your chance to tell your story! Explain why aerospace engineering excites you and what you hope to learn from Imperial College London. Be genuine about your motivation and don’t shy away from sharing specific goals you have for the internship — it helps us see your enthusiasm and how you could fit our team!
Include Academic Achievements:Your academic record can make a real difference, especially for an internship. Highlight any relevant courses you excelled in and include your grades, particularly in maths and physics. If you’ve participated in research or published any papers, be sure to mention them as well — it gives us an insight into your technical background!
How to prepare for a job interview at Imperial College London
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Fundamentals
Since we're diving into the world of aerospace engineering, make sure you're solid on the core concepts. Expect questions on aerodynamics, materials science, and propulsion systems. It’ll give you a great chance to showcase your knowledge and passion for the field!
✨Showcase Your Projects
As an intern, what they want to see is your potential and enthusiasm! Prepare a portfolio of relevant projects or coursework. Even if they’re just uni assignments, if you got into the nitty-gritty details, it shows you’ve got the skills we need to develop further.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Aerospace engineering often involves tackling complex problems, so be ready for some situational questions. You might be asked to solve a hypothetical engineering challenge on the spot, so think through your problem-solving process and be clear in your explanations.
✨Convey Your Learning Mindset
As this is an internship, they'll be looking for candidates who are eager to learn and grow. Be prepared to talk about what you want to achieve during your internship at Imperial College London. Show them that you’re keen to absorb knowledge from their expertise in the industry, and how those experiences will shape your career.
