PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: Prediction of Extreme Events in Turbulent Reacting Flows with Scientific Machine Learning Imperial College London in United Kingdom

[Full coverage of tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of £22,780 for Home, EU and International students.]

This PhD studentship at Imperial College London offers an exciting opportunity to advance the prediction of extreme events in turbulent reacting flows using scientific machine learning. The project is motivated by the increasing prevalence of extreme fluid events due to climate change and the global push for decarbonization. These rare events, such as flashback with hydrogen or blow-off with ammonia, pose significant risks in future sustainable propulsion systems. Current forecasting methods are limited by the chaotic nature of turbulent flows and complex multiscale nonlinear interactions.

As a student, you will develop machine learning-based reduced-order models capable of accurately forecasting extreme events across a variety of complex flows. The research will involve high-fidelity simulations, hybrid physics-based and machine learning modelling techniques, and embedding these models within data assimilation frameworks for self-correction. You will gain expertise in computational modelling, scientific machine learning, and fluid dynamics, and have access to Imperial College's state-of-the-art HPC facilities.

The project is part of the ERC-funded CONTEXT initiative, working at the intersection of scientific machine learning and fluid dynamics. You will be supervised by Dr. Anh Khoa Doan and have opportunities to collaborate with experts such as Prof. Luca Magri and Dr. Andrea Novoa. The studentship lasts 3.5 years and includes full coverage of tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of £22,780 for Home, EU, and International students.

Eligibility requires a First class honours MEng/MSci or higher degree or equivalent in a computational background (engineering, physics, mathematics, or computer science). Strong skills in computational modelling, machine learning, and fluid dynamics are highly desirable. Imperial College London is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, holding awards and partnerships that promote a supportive environment for all researchers.

To apply, submit your application via the Imperial College Apply webpages, selecting 'Aeronautics Research (PhD)' and using reference number AE0086. Indicate Dr Anh Khoa Doan as your research supervisor and Aero as your research group. For project-specific questions, contact Dr. Anh Khoa Doan at [email protected]; for application process queries, contact Lisa Kelly at [email protected]. The application deadline is 1st April 2026, and the position is available to start as soon as possible.

For further information on fees and funding, visit the provided links. Imperial College London offers professional development workshops and support through its Early Career Researcher Institute, ensuring a comprehensive academic and professional experience.