PhD Studentship - Particle Transport in Realistic Ocean Conditions

Research theme: water wave mechanics, physical oceanography, computational fluid dynamics

How to apply: uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

Number of positions: 1

This 3.5 year PhD is directly funded through the Strategic Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA) scholarship programme. Home students are eligible to apply and the successful applicant will have their tuition fees paid and receive an annual tax free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25). We expect this to increase each year. Please note that interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

Modelling particle transport under wave action is critical to understanding the dispersion of microplastics, phytoplankton, and sediment, vital to areas ranging from ocean health and ecosystems to offshore engineering (e.g., offshore wind). Current understanding of these phenomena for inertial particles is limited to simplified wave conditions, and omits real world complexity such as wave breaking and the effects of wave group dynamics. The combined effect of these shortcomings is that basin-scale particle transport models differ from reality. This prevents the accurate prediction of pollutant transport across oceans which hampers targeted mitigation efforts.

This project addresses both gaps through a novel experimental campaign in the Manchester Hydrodynamics Lab, coupled with state-of-the-art Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS). The DNS will be validated by experiments, extending understanding to different particle properties (Stokes number) and controlled ambient turbulence. The results will transform our understanding of inertial particle transport in oceans, with wide-reaching implications across ocean science and engineering.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

To apply, please contact the supervisor for this project Dr Samuel Draycott - samuel.draycott@manchester.ac.uk and Dr Alex Skillen - alex.skillen@manchester.ac.uk. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

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