Applications are sought for a self-funded PhD student to undertake 36-month research into fan broadband noise reduction at Brunel University London. This project represents an exciting opportunity to work towards the application of structured porous surface to reduce aerofoil broadband self-noise and improve aerodynamic performances.
It will involve the design/optimisation of the structured porous surfaces, commissioning their fabrication, integration to aerofoil fan blades, wind tunnel testing, data acquisition, data analysis and physical interpretation.
Financial support for the equipment needed for this project has already been secured from the recently awarded EPSRC project (EP/V006886/1). Fan broadband noise (turbulence-leading edge interaction noise, and trailing edge self-noise) is typically encountered in aero-engines, wind turbines and home appliances. Other noise sources include the broadband deep-stall noise when the fan blade is operated at high loading configuration.
This project seeks to control the turbulence generation mechanisms, and suppress the large-scale boundary layer separation by the structured porous treatments, with the eventual aims of reducing the fan broadband noise, understanding the physical mechanisms and improving the aerodynamic performances.
The research will mainly be conducted at an aeroacoustics wind tunnel facility at Brunel University London.
The PhD student will receive support from all members of the friendly project team, including technical support from the departmental technicians. The applicant should already have, or about to complete, a Bachelor or Master degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering. The applicant should have a good understanding in the area of aerodynamics and fluid mechanics. Experience in the area of aeroacoustics is desirable but not essential. If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Tze Pei Chong of Brunel University London at [Email Address Removed].
Research activities within the aerospace and aviation engineering degree programmes at Brunel cover a wide ranging and diverse field of topics. Academic staff involved within these programmes investigate fundamental and complex problems relating to aerodynamics and aeroacoustics, flight physics and performance, helicopter rotor dynamics and structural mechanics together with Computational Fluid Dynamics and Finite Elements Analysis code development and application.
Research journey
Doctoral research programmes (PhDs) take a proud place in the world-class research environment and community at Brunel. PhD students are recognised and valued by their supervisors as an essential part of their departments and a key component of the university's overall strategy to develop and deliver world-class research.
A PhD programme is expected to take 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, with intakes starting in January, April or October.
The general University entrance requirement for registration for a research degree is normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (1st or 2:1) or an international equivalent. A Masters degree is a welcome, but not required, qualification for entry.
Find out how to apply for a PhD at Brunel
Research support
Excellent research support and training
The Graduate School provides a range of personal, professional and career development opportunities. This includes workshops, online training, coaching and events, to enable you to enhance your professional profile, refine your skills, and plan your next career steps as part of the Researcher Development Programme. The researcher development programme (RDP) offers workshops and seminars in a range of areas including progression, research management, research dissemination, and careers and personal development. You will also be offered a number of online, self-study courses on BBL, including Research Integrity, Research Skills Toolkit, Research Methods in Literature Review and Principles of Research Methods.
Library services
Brunel's Library is open 24 hours a day, has 400,000 books and 250,000 ebooks, and an annual budget of almost £2m. Subject information Specialists train students in the latest technology, digital literacy, and digital dissemination of scholarly outputs. As well as the physical resources available in the Library, we also provide access to a wealth of electronic resources. These include databases, journals and e-books. Access to these resources has been bought by the Library through subscription and is limited to current staff and students.
Dedicated research support staff provide guidance and training on open access, research data management, copyright and other research integrity issues.
Find out more: Brunel Library
Careers support
You will receive tailored careers support during your PhD and for up to three years after you complete your research at Brunel. We encourage you to actively engage in career planning and managing your personal development right from the start of your research, even (or perhaps especially) if you don't yet have a career path in mind. Our careers provision includes online information and advice, one-to-one consultations and a range of events and workshops. The Professional Development Centre runs a varied programme of careers events throughout the academic year. These include industry insight sessions, recruitment fairs, employer pop-ups and skills workshops.
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