Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering

Location:  Boldrewood Campus
Salary:   £32,348 to £34,308 per annum
Full Time Fixed Term for 1 year
Closing Date:  Saturday 01 April 2023
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  2032222DA-1R

Joining our Horizon 2020-funded project on magnetohydrodynamics and hypersonic flows you will contribute to computational research on a novel MHD system concept for mitigating heat flux and communication blackout during re-entry flights. This is a full-time fixed term contract until 31/03/2024.

You will work closely with the consortium of MEESST (MHD Enhanced Entry System for Space Transportation) project including KU Leuven, Absolut System SAS, University of Stuttgart, THEVA, AEDS SARL, VKI, PI Integral Solutions, KIT and University of Luxembourg. You will be responsible for developing, consolidating, verifying existing modelling tools for simulating re-entry plasma flows in the presence of electromagnetic fields, particularly for computing heat fluxes and radio-blackout conditions. You will also need to validate the developed physical and computational models against the experimental data in particular in terms of surface heat fluxes and electron density distribution (relevant for determining radio blackout conditions). 

The project provides an opportunity to work on advanced MHD technologies which can introduce a paradigm shift in aerospace science and technology by turning active magnetic shielding (i.e. a futuristic concept traditionally associated with science fiction) into reality and, potentially, into the spotlight not just for space travel but also for future hypersonic transportation systems. As well as carrying out research to the highest standards, you will work as part of a team and to prepare reports and presentations for project meetings and publications for international journals. The successful applicant must have a PhD* or equivalent professional qualifications and experience in Fluid Dynamics or Aerodynamics or related field.

Equality, diversity and Inclusion is central to the ethos in the School of Engineering. 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.  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 Min Kwan Kim (m.k.kim@soton.ac.uk) or Professor Neil Sandham (n.sandham@soton.ac.uk), applications are only accepted via the online application process.

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 Lauren Ward (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 2750, or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk. Please quote reference 2032222DA-1R on all correspondence.