PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: Turbulence Intermittency in Cloud Physics 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 investigate the role of turbulence intermittency in cloud physics, specifically focusing on warm cumulus clouds and their rapid precipitation processes. The project addresses fundamental questions about how turbulence within clouds, which is highly intermittent due to large Reynolds numbers, influences the formation and coalescence of droplets leading to rainfall. Two main research directions are available: studying intermittent entrainment processes at the cloud edge or exploring turbulence–droplet interactions within the cloud.

Depending on your strengths and interests, you will conduct high-fidelity experiments using combined particle tracking velocimetry and particle image velocimetry in a large wind tunnel, or perform advanced numerical simulations (CFD) to model turbulent flows. The research is part of the ERC-funded TITCHY project, and you will join a large, collaborative team dedicated to advancing the understanding of turbulent cloud physics. You will gain expertise in laser diagnostics, direct numerical simulation, and turbulent flow physics, and have opportunities to present your findings at international conferences.

The studentship is supervised by Professor Oliver Buxton, an expert in turbulence, entrainment, and droplet interactions. The position is fully funded for 3.5 years, covering tuition fees and providing a generous annual tax-free stipend of £22,780 for Home, EU, and International students. Imperial College London offers professional development workshops in research communication, computing, data science, and career progression through its Early Career Researcher Institute.

Eligibility requires a First class honours MEng/MSci or higher degree (or international equivalent) in aeronautical or mechanical engineering, applied mathematics, physics, or a related STEM subject. Prior experience with turbulence is desirable but not essential. Imperial College London is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, holding several awards and recognitions for its efforts.

Applications are open until 30 April 2026, with a start date in October 2026. To apply, visit the Imperial College London postgraduate doctoral application process webpage, search for 'Aeronautics Research (PhD)', and use reference number AE0084. For project-specific questions, contact Prof. Oliver Buxton at [email protected]; for application process queries, email Lisa Kelly, PhD Administrator, at [email protected].