The University of British Columbia
Top university
1 week ago
Funded PhD in CFD of Thermal Behavior of Power Transformers University of British Columbia in Canada
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
MITACS-funded PhD research project running from September 2026 to August 2030. The post is described as a funded PhD studentship; no stipend amount is stated.
Deadline
Oct 14, 2026
Country
Canada
University
The University of British Columbia

How do I apply for this?
Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.
Apply for this position
Keywords
Suggested positions
About this position
Funded PhD opportunity in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) at the University of British Columbia (Okanagan), working on the thermal behavior of electrical transformers. The project is titled Overloading thermal management and seasonal heat recovery of transformers toward efficient power substations and is carried out in collaboration with BC Hydro.
The research focuses on OpenFOAM-based modeling of transformer thermal loading under realistic utility-scale conditions, including conjugate heat transfer, active and passive thermal management, hotspot prediction, waste heat recovery, and transformer aging/lifetime assessment. The student will validate models against field data from operational transformers and contribute to open-source datasets and monitoring tools.
Supervision is by Dr. Joshua Brinkerhoff and Dr. Sunny Li. The project is strongly aligned with fluid mechanics, heat transfer, numerical simulation, mathematical modeling, and high-performance computing.
Applicants should have strong fundamentals in mathematical modeling, numerical simulation, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. Experience with OpenFOAM or other CFD tools is an asset. International applications are welcome. English proficiency requirements are listed for applicants whose prior degrees were not taught in English: TOEFL 580 PBT / 92 IBT or IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0.
Deadline: 2026-10-14. Apply by completing the online survey and uploading a cover letter and CV. Contact Dr. Brinkerhoff for enquiries.
Funding details
MITACS-funded PhD research project running from September 2026 to August 2030. The post is described as a funded PhD studentship; no stipend amount is stated.
What's required
Applicants should have strong fundamental skills in mathematical modeling, numerical simulation, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. Background in OpenFOAM or other CFD tools and experience in high-performance computing are assets. Applicants with degrees in a language other than English must provide English test scores: minimum TOEFL 580 PBT or 92 IBT, or IELTS overall 6.5 with no individual band below 6.0.
How to apply
Express interest via the online survey link. Upload a cover letter describing your research interests, experience, and motivations for graduate study, plus a detailed CV. Include English test scores if required.
More information can be found here
Ask ApplyKite AI

How do I apply for this?
Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.