Research Fellow in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (Coventry University, UK)
Fixed term (3 year post with the potential to extend)
Grade 7
Applications are invited for the position of Research Fellow in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics within the project MAGNADO - The Magnetohydrodynamics of Liquid Metal Tornadoes (selected for funding by the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) and funded through the UKRI 'Horizon Europe guarantee') at the Research Centre for Fluid and Complex Systems (FCS) at Coventry University. The ERC is The European Union’s most selective funding mechanism for ground-breaking science. The successful applicant will work under the supervision of the award winner, Associate Professor Dr Susanne Horn.
This ambitious project tackles the long-standing challenge of understanding how convective flows in liquid planetary cores generate and sustain the magnetic fields of planets through the dynamo process, The project explores the radically new idea that the elusive type of flows able to generate magnetic fields may be produced by tornado-like vortices.
The purpose of this post-doctoral research program is to determine the optimal conditions to create tornado-like flows in two well-controlled experiments using cutting-edge flow measurement and visualisation techniques complemented by numerical simulations.
The successful candidate will carry out measurement campaigns using thermal measurements, PIV and UDV at two world-unique experimental facilities: the “Little Earth Experiment” operated at Coventry University and at the High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Grenoble (Part of the French CNRS) and the “RoMag” device at the SpinLab in UCLA (USA).
The laboratory investigations will be complemented by numerical simulations using our in-house finite volume code “goldfish” to predict the optimal parameters for the experiments and to further allow for a one-to-one comparison.
This project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the field of planetary science and to develop a world-leading expertise in geophysical and experimental fluid dynamics complemented by a solid background in numerical simulations. The successful candidate will also be able to develop an extensive scientific network by working with the best experts in the field word-wide, through extensive collaboration across the USA and Europe thanks to the great flexibility offered by the ERC-guarantee.
The successful candidate should have an advanced knowledge of fluid dynamics, ideally related to geophysics, thermal convection and/or turbulence. Previous experience and good expertise with laboratory experiments is essential and required to carry out the thermal convection experiments in liquid gallium and sulfuric acid. The numerical component involves conducting massively parallel simulations, thus, programming experience and familiarity with HPC facilities are desirable but not necessary (hardly any programming is foreseen within the project).
The successful candidate should hold a PhD or equivalent in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Fluid Dynamics, Geophysics, Engineering, or related subject with a proven track record of producing scientific output at the highest level, as evidenced by high-quality journal publications.
The Research Fellow will work within the vibrant environment of the Fluid Dynamics group, part of the Research Centre for Fluid and Complex Systems at Coventry University, https://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/areas-of-research/centre-for-fluid-and-complex-systems. The group conducts both fundamental and applied research in the fields of convection, magnetohydrodynamics, turbulence and geophysical fluid dynamics as well as other areas of fluid mechanics. In the REF2021, 95% of the group's output, as part of the mathematics submission, was deemed “internationally excellent” or “world-leading”. The post holder’s academic development will be supported through Coventry University’s Early Career Researcher support programmes, alongside other researcher development activities.
This position is full time on a fixed term basis for 3 years with the possibility to extend by 1 year. To apply please include your CV with a full publication list. Informal inquiries are encouraged; please contact Dr Susanne Horn directly – susanne.horn@coventry.ac.uk.
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