PhD in Propeller-Wing Wake Interactions for Urban Air Mobility Systems University of Birmingham in United Kingdom

This fully funded 3.5-year PhD studentship at the University of Birmingham offers an exciting opportunity to advance research in the field of Urban Air Mobility (UAM), focusing on the complex interactions between propeller wakes and wing surfaces in next-generation eVTOL aircraft. Hosted within the Aerospace Engineering division of the School of Metallurgy and Materials, and supervised by Dr Chandan Bose, the project is ideal for highly motivated candidates with a strong background in fluid dynamics, computational modeling, and structural mechanics.

The research addresses the unsteady and multi-physics phenomena arising from tightly integrated propeller–wing configurations, which are central to UAM concepts. The project will employ high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and fluid–structure interaction (FSI) simulations, utilizing both in-house and open-source tools such as OpenFOAM. Key objectives include characterizing the structure and evolution of propeller wakes, understanding their impact on aerodynamic loading and structural response, and developing validated computational frameworks for predictive modeling.

Students will investigate the influence of propeller placement, rotation rate, and wing incidence on unsteady aerodynamic forces, with a particular focus on identifying dominant vortical structures and their effects on lift, pressure, and moment coefficients. The project also involves the development and validation of advanced CFD–FSI models, including the use of immersed boundary methods, overset meshes, and actuator-based models, to accurately capture aeroelastic effects in flexible wing structures.

From a computational perspective, the PhD will provide extensive experience in scalable scientific computing, including large-scale simulations on high-performance computing platforms. The research outcomes are expected to contribute to high-quality journal publications, reusable computational tools, and design-oriented insights for UAM vehicle development.

The ideal candidate will have a first-class undergraduate or master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or a related discipline. Familiarity with CFD, partial differential equations, programming (C++/Python), and open-source CFD codes is highly desirable. The position is fully funded for 3.5 years, including a standard EPSRC stipend, and applications are accepted year-round. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Chandan Bose ([email protected]) with their CV prior to applying through the university’s online system.