High speed ‘laminar’ flows for laser and hypersonic applications.

The project is to contribute to a major EPSRC research programme intended to develop generation after next technologies for applications in defence and security, and this project will be co-funded by QinetiQ.       

The project will be concerned with producing high speed ‘laminar’ flows for laser and hypersonic applications.

This project will aim to develop plasma actuator-type devices capable of producing high velocity ‘laminar’ flow which could be used to better understand the interactions of lasers with fast moving plasma flows or could be used to create a static hypersonic test bed reactor. Through both modelling and experiments, we will examine the potential for plasma actuators to be designed and used in such a way as to create laminar and high velocity conditions which could be potentially useful in a number of energy transfer technologies.

The plan is to recruit a PhD candidate to undertake this project, who will be aligned to the EPSRC Energy Transfer Technologies Skills and Training (S&T) Hub. The main aim of the S&T Hub is to train the next generation of leaders in energy transfer technologies relevant for defence and other related applications. The Hub is supported by MoD, Dstl, and UK companies working in the defence and security sector.

Each student funded by the Hub will have an industrial partner and opportunities to work with, and train alongside, experts from industry. The Hub offers individuals training for both an academic and an industrial career path.

The student will be primarily based at the School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Computer Science, University of Liverpool, and will benefit from cohort-based training and the network of PhD students across a number of UK institutions. The Skills and Training Hub will run online and face-to-face activities to facilitate cohort building and group learning exercises throughout the PhD programme. The duration of the PhD is 4 years, and the start date is 1st January 2025. https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/energy-transfer-skills-training-hub

The industrial partner, QinetiQ is an integrated global defence and security company focused on mission-led innovation. QinetiQ employ more than 8,500 highly skilled individuals, committed to creating new ways of protecting what matters most; testing technologies, systems, and processes to make sure they meet operational needs; and enabling customers to deploy new and enhanced capabilities with the assurance they will deliver the performance required.

Eligibility

PhD Candidates must hold a minimum of an upper Second-Class UK Honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant science or engineering discipline. Candidates must be UK Nationals and be willing to apply for and able to obtain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor(s) for this project before you apply.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

The S&T Hub is committed to providing an inclusive environment in which students can thrive. The Hub particularly encourages applications from women, disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, who are currently under-represented in the sector. We can also consider part-time PhD students. We encourage talented individuals from various backgrounds, with either an UG or MSc in a numerate subject and people with ambition and an interest in making a difference to apply.