Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering

Location:  Boldrewood Campus
Salary:   £32,344 to £35,326 Per annum
Full Time Fixed Term until 31/07/2024
Closing Date:  Friday 17 December 2021
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  1621421DA

Research Fellow (Across-Scale processeS in URban Environments -- ASSUE)

The University of Southampton with support from the UK research council NERC, is funding 28-month full-time work on the use of efficient Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes in the context of urban meteorology.  

Local and global consequences of climate change (enhanced urban heat islands, worsening environmental conditions) affect most of the world's urban population, but only recently have cities been represented, albeit crudely, in weather forecast models. To manage and develop sustainable, resilient and healthy cities requires improved forecasting and observations that cross neighbourhood-influenced scales which the next generation weather forecast models need to resolve. ASSURE addresses the critical issue of which processes need to be parameterised, and which resolved, to capture urban heterogeneity in space and time.

We will advance understanding to develop new approaches for larger-scale urban meteorological and dispersion models by combining high-resolution numerical simulations at the University of Southampton and wind tunnel and field experiments carried out by the partner institutions. 

You will be an applied mathematician, meteorologist or engineer who holds a PhD degree or has submitted a PhD thesis (or equivalent professional qualification) with evidenced-supported experience of using large-eddy simulation of neighbourhood-scale turbulent boundary layer and dispersion in urban areas. Knowledge of large-scale parallel computing and stratification flows, and experience of using synthetic turbulence generation approaches and wind tunnel or field experiments, are desirable.  

You will join a large and friendly aerodynamics group (http://www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/research/groups/afm.page) engaged in a wide range of experimental and numerical studies of turbulent flows.  The project will benefit from close collaboration with other researchers and with colleagues in the collaborative project.

Equality, diversity and Inclusion is central to the ethos in the School of Engineering. We particularly encourage women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic, LGBT and disabled applicants to apply for this position. In recognition of our continued commitment to improving equality for women in science we were awarded an Athena SWAN bronze in 2013 and 2016.   We give full consideration to applicants that wish to work flexibly including part-time and due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy*, onsite childcare facilities

 The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 10 of the UK’s research-intensive universities. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university and has recently been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.  Our vision is to embed the principles of sustainability into all aspects of our individual and collective work, integrating sustainable development into our business planning, policy-making, and professional activities.  This commits all of our staff and students to take responsibility for managing their activities to minimise harm to the environment, whether this through switching off non-essential electrical equipment or using the recycling facilities.

 *subject to qualifying criteria

Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification.  The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Zheng-Tong Xie (Email: z.xie@soton.ac.uk).

This post is offered on a full-time, fixed term contract until 31/07/2024

Application Procedure 

You should submit your completed online application form at https://jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Michelle (HR Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 2750 or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk  Please quote reference 1621421DA on all correspondence.