or
Continue with FacebookLooking to list your PhD opportunities? Log in here.
Dr M Seddighi,
Dr Sean Malkeson,
Dr Ava Shahrokhi,
Prof Jin Wang
Friday, April 11, 2025
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
Liverpool
United Kingdom
Artificial Intelligence
Automotive Engineering
Energy Technologies
Environmental Engineering
Fluid Mechanics
Machine Learning
Marine Engineering
Marine Sciences
Mechanical Engineering
Offshore Engineering
About the Project
Reducing hydrodynamic drag on marine vessels is pivotal for enhancing fuel efficiency and minimising environmental impact. Studies indicate that a 5% reduction in drag can directly translate to approximately 5% decrease in fuel consumption, leading to significant cost savings and reduced emissions. The proposed project aims at advancing drag reduction technologies for marine vessels by integrating textured surfaces with unsteady air flow pumping. Building on findings from recent turbulence studies within the group, this project aims to develop a novel drag reduction methodology.
The project will focus on studying detailed turbulent flow behaviour and drag by applying textured surfaces to the hull. These textures have shown great potential in reducing turbulence and decreasing drag in classical fluid mechanics problems, such as flat plates and channel flows. Moreover, the project will explore unsteady air flow pumping techniques to enhance air lubrication which may influence bubble behaviour near the hull. The study will investigate the interaction between airflow and surface textures across a range of flow and texture configurations, with the aim of further improving drag reduction.
The project will use an in-house direct numerical simulation (DNS) code and also OpenFOAM computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, alongside physical testing at LJMU and the University of Liverpool using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV). AI and machine learning will be used to refine data analysis, optimise design configurations, and enhance predictive modelling. These will help improve CFD simulations, making it easier to identify the best surface textures and air flow settings for maximum efficiency.
Research will identify optimal design configurations and air flow modulation strategies for enhanced drag reduction. Expected outcomes include improved fuel efficiency, significant CO2 reductions, and innovations in sustainable shipping. Findings will foster collaboration between academia and industry, ensuring practical maritime engineering applications.
Funding Notes
PhD opportunities in Net Zero Maritime Energy Solutions (N0MES) CDT. The NOMES PhDs are funded by the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, UKRI, and over 30 industrial partners.
This PhD will be based in the School of Engineering at Liverpool John Moores University.
Applicants should hold as a minimum an upper-second class honours degree but preferably a master’s degree in a related subject.
The PhD studentships are for full-time study for four years and include a full Home/UK tuition fee and annual stipend starting at the UKRI current rate, which is paid in monthly instalments. The studentship also comes with access to additional funding in the form of a research training support grant which is available to fund conference attendance, fieldwork, internships etc.
Applicants should submit their CV, a project proposal and a covering letter to Tricia Waterson at FETPGRAdmissions@ljmu.ac.uk, quoting the project reference number (LJMU_R2_07_MS). The covering letter should include contact details of two referees, 1 of whom must be an academic written from an academic perspective detailing your suitability for the PhD.
For further information on the project, please contact [academic lead] at {academic lead}@ljmu.ac.uk
Open Days
Register your interest for this project
The university will respond to you directly. You will have a FindAPhD account to view your sent enquiries and receive email alerts with new PhD opportunities and guidance to help you choose the right programme.
It looks like you alredy have a FindAPhD Account
Log in to save time sending your enquiry and view previously sent enquiries
* required field
The information you submit to University of Liverpool will only be used by them or their data partners to deal with your enquiry, according to their privacy notice. For more information on how we use and store your data, please read our privacy statement.
Search suggestions
Based on your current searches we recommend the following search filters.
Check out our other PhDs in Liverpool, United Kingdom
Start a New search with our database of over 4,000 PhDs
PhD suggestions
Based on your current search criteria we thought you might be interested in these.
Techno-Economic Study of Power generation from Coal/Biomass with Carbon Capture and Storage
University of Sheffield
Mesoscopic calculations of polymer drag reduction
University of Strathclyde
Study on Treatment of onychomycosis with soluble microneedles loaded with Terbinafine nanogels
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
