PhD position in Influence of suspended particles on cavity inception and dynamics

Ten PhD positions are currently offered, which will start on 1st July 2024. Below you will find descriptions of one of the available positions also stating candidate requirements. For further information about the other available positions please visit this link: 

Ten PhD positions offered in Horizon MSCA- Doctorate Network CaviPRO | EURAXESS (europa.eu)

Hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) is known for causing damage on machines, pipelines, and equipment due to the formation and implosion of tiny gas bubbles and local temperature hotspots. Controlling and utilizing these harsh micro-conditions has the potential to revolutionize process unit operations such as mixing, reactions, emulsions, and particle formation for the benefit of the European process industries and global industrial community. Systematic understanding of the physicochemical phenomena occurring in HC and design of HC reactors and scale-up are missing. Now it is time to guide the research further towards game changing implementations that utilize HC and orchestrate them in large systems that are ready for industrial deployment. Therefore, we propose the ITN project CaviPRO, which aims (a) to push the current scientific boundaries and explore entirely new directions of fundamental research on controlled cavitation that is linked to state-of-the-art additive manufacturing, advanced process control and machine learning; and (b) to educate and mentor 10 curious and capable doctoral candidates to form a critical mass of fully skilled young professionals acting as multipliers to develop technologies across Europe.

The CaviPRO consortium brings together leading experts from Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland for creating new knowledge and innovations for harnessing hydrodynamic cavitation resulting in rapid economic growth and leadership in this field. The network is built on synergies and complementarities between leading scientists, worldclass institutions, different disciplines, and the incorporation of several industries as drivers – ranging from start-ups to SMEs to global players – from all over Europe. In the medium- to long-term, we have the joint vision to create new and sustainable education structures with strong involvement from key stakeholders. The approach blends research, manufacturing, and customer driven process design in an innovative way with short times to market, high efficiency, and low costs. We will employ 10 researchers to address these scientific challenges by performing research in academic and industrial groups, and by doing so receive exhaustive training across relevant disciplines and sectors.

CaviPRO | University of Limerick (ul.ie)

The close vicinity of rigid or mobile surfaces leads to asymmetric cavity collapse with intense shear and pressure hammer, which can be harnessed for achieving desired particle or droplet breakage. However, that requires thorough and quantitative understanding of inception and dynamics of collapsing cavities in presence of suspended particles or drops. This open challenge will be addressed by understanding the physical mechanisms behind cavitation in particle-laden fluids. The PhD project will reveal their effects on cavitation inception and dynamics through idealised experiments and computational models. The key objectives are: 1) Design experiments for 10m fps visualisation and acoustic analysis of cavitation inception and dynamics; 2) Synthesise and test particles to assess their effect on cavitation nucleation (single particle vs. clusters; 3) Develop an empirically-based predictive tool for nucleation onset in particle-laden fluids; 4) Perform systematic experiments on cavity-particle interactions at cavity cloud level. The key expected results are:  1) Experimental technique and new data to characterise cavitation nucleation; 2) Physical model which couples single-particle nucleation to a particle-laden fluid cavitation; 3) Characterisation of cavitation inception for different types of particles.

A candidate with a Master's degree in chemical, mechanical or allied engineering. Proficiency in fluid mechanics, computational modelling and visualization experiments are a plus.

Note that the MSCA-DN mobility clause applies; the applicant may not have spent 12 months or more in the past 3 years in the country where the position is offered. Candidates may not already hold a doctoral degree. Candidate must be eligible to work according to your host country’s regulations (for instance visa requirements), and to work in other European countries for secondments and meetings.

Selected candidates will receive an attractive salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for Doctoral Researchers. The exact (net) salary will be confirmed upon appointment and is dependent on local tax regulations and on the country correction factor (to allow for the difference in cost of living in different EU Member States). The salary includes a living, mobility, and family allowance (if applicable). The guaranteed PhD funding for 36 months (i.e., EC funding, additional funding is possible, depending on the local Supervisor, and in accordance with the regular PhD time in the country of origin).