Join Our Exciting Funded PhD Project: Computational Modelling of Seals for High-Pressure, Low-Carbon Storage Technologies - Help Shape the Future of Clean Energy Storage!

Are you passionate about pushing the boundaries of engineering and accelerating the transition to a carbon-neutral energy system through groundbreaking research?

The University of Sheffield’s Department of Mechanical Engineering’s Thermofluids Group seeks am enthusiastic and self-motivated PhD student to join a groundbreaking project on Computational Modelling of Mechanical Seals. This project is funded by John Crane Ltd, one of the world’s leading providers of engineered technology.

John Crane Ltd is a $1Bn industry and the world leader in mechanical sealing. They design, manufacture, install, and support sealing for all kinds of rotating machines for all industries. You would be working with the research centre in Manchester and the manufacturing site in Slough.

Your project:

• Develop a three-dimensional digital model of high-pressure mechanical seals
• Use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)to model the gas film flow within the seal gap.
• Coupled CFD with models of the seal rings enabling the study of fluid-structure interaction and the dynamic response of the seal rings.
• Collaborate with researchers at the University's renowned Leonardo Centre for Tribology.
• Gain valuable industry experience by working closely with John Crane, gaining valuable experience in a world-renowned company. John Craneis a $1Bn industry and the world leader in mechanical sealing. Plus, the opportunity to work at John Crane's research centre (Manchester) and manufacturing site (Slough).
• Flexible Start Date

Why Choose Us?

• Funded PhD: at the standard EPSRC rate covering fees and bursary. (NB Funding is only available to cover the level of fees set for UK applicants for 4 years. Applicants from non-UK/EU will need to cover the extra fees from their own funds).
• World-Class Environment: Join a vibrant research group and access state-of-the-art facilities.
• Industry Experience: Gain practical experience with a leading company in the field.
• Make a Global Impact: Contribute to a project with significant implications for clean energy.

Requirements:

• First-class or upper-second class honours degree (or international equivalents) in Engineering, Physics, or Applied Mathematics.
• Prior experience with coding and CFD / CFD programming is desirable but not mandatory.

Interested?

Contact Dr. Marco Colombo (m.colombo@sheffield.ac.uk) for informal inquiries.

Apply Now: http://www.shef.ac.uk/mecheng/phd/applying (include personal statement, curriculum vitae, two reference letters and degree transcripts to date).

Funding Notes

The PhD is funded at the standard EPSRC rate (£19,237 in 2024/25) covering fees and bursary.

Funding is only available to cover the level of fees set for UK applicants for 4 years.

Applicants from non-UK/EU will need to cover the extra fees from their own funds.

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