One fully funded PhD studentship on the rheological characterisation of 
ferrofluid emulsions is available at James Weir Fluids Laboratory in the 
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of 
Strathclyde under the supervision of Dr Paolo Capobianchi.

The proposed research will investigate the rheological properties of ferrofluid 
emulsions i.e., mixtures of two immiscible liquids in which one phase exists in 
the form of dispersed droplets, and where one of the two liquids is constituted 
by a ferrofluid. The considered problem will be approached through theoretical 
modelling and numerical simulations with the intention to provide a solid 
understanding of the behaviour of ferrofluid emulsions subjected to spatially 
uniform magnetic fields under different flow conditions. The rheological 
response of these complex fluids has been largely overlooked so far, and the 
present research sets out to provide a substantial contribution to the 
understanding of their behaviour for shearing and extensional flows, i.e., for 
those flows commonly adopted in rheometry. The work builds on previous research 
conducted by members of the James Weir Fluid Lab at the University of 
Strathclyde which provided evidence that the rheology of ferrofluid emulsions 
can be altered by controlling the applied magnetic field, a circumstance that 
may pave the way to the exploitation of these fluids in those applications where 
adjusting the response of the fluid to different working conditions might be 
deemed useful or even necessary.

Founded in 1796, the University of Strathclyde is a multi-award-winning UK 
university and a postgraduate research institute dedicated to focused 
fundamental research and in applying it to meet the needs of society and 
industry. Its research, teaching and technology development functions are 
closely linked to industry, public and defence sectors across the UK, Europe and 
internationally. The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Strathclyde is 
one of the largest engineering schools in the UK and the largest in Scotland. 
The James Weir Fluids Laboratory in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace 
Engineering at the University of Strathclyde exists to explore the fundamental 
flow physics that facilitates new fluids technologies underpinning materials, 
energy, sustainability, nanotechnology, health, and transport. The group members 
apply their expertise and experience to solve industrial problems including 
rheological characterisation of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, 
microfluidics, thermocapillary and thermo-vibrational flows, erosion/corrosion 
problems and rarefied gas dynamics related to aerospace applications. Numerical 
studies in these directions are facilitated by the access to the high-
performance computing facility Archie-WeSt locally hosted by the University.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the 
academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at the University of 
Strathclyde. The successful candidate holds a MEng or equivalent degree in 
mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, physics or related areas with a 
knowledge of fluid dynamics. Essential requirements are a good background in 
fluid dynamics. Experience in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), previous 
knowledge of the open source CFD package OpenFOAM, as well as programming skills 
are a plus.

The studentships will cover Home tuition fees and will provide a tax-free 
stipend. The total stipend for academic year 2023/24 is £18,622.
Students who hold either settled or pre-settled status through the EU Settlement 
Scheme and meet the residency requirement for Home fees are welcome to apply. It 
may be possible to consider International applicants, who are able to cover the 
difference between Home and International fee rate.