PhD positions - Experimental unsteady fluid and vortex dynamics
École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, EPFL
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EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe
and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main
missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working
environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000
researchers from more than 120 different countries.
PhD positions - Experimental unsteady fluid and vortex dynamics
Mission
The Unsteady Flow Diagnostics Laboratory (UNFoLD) led by Prof. Karen Mulleners at EPFL in Lausanne is looking for
multiple PhD students to join the group in the fall of 2025 or early 2026.
The UNFoLD lab specialises in the experimental measurements, analysis, and modelling of unsteady vortex-dominated flow
phenomena, with applications in bio-inspired propulsion, wind turbine rotor blade aerodynamics, gust interactions, and
fluid-structure interactions. The research focuses on unfolding the origin and development of unsteady flow separation
and vortex formation. The lab has built a reputation for carefully designed and precisely controlled experiments , high
quality temporally and spatially resolved field experiments using particle image velocimetry combined with synchronised
measurements of the technically relevant quantities, such as aerodynamic forces or power output, exploratory data
analyses to bridge the gap between our observations and understanding of the development and interaction of vortices,
and the technically relevant quantities.
Several open PhD postions are available for fully funded projects on:
- Flow separation on three-dimensional wings
- Fluid-structure interactions of flapping flags
- (Bio-inspired) unsteady vortex formation and interaction
More information about the lab and the ongoing and past projects can be found here: https://www.epfl.ch/labs/unfold/
Main duties and responsibilities
Your responsibilities:
-
Perform original experimental research on vortex dominated flows.
-
Lead and contribute to publications in scientific journals.
-
Contribute to general lab activities (including teaching assistance and co-supervision of student projects)
Profile
- A master's degree in engineering, environmental sciences, or physics.
- Strong interest in experimental fluid mechanics.
- Experience with experimental (fluid) mechanics OR in designing laboratory experiments OR in data-driven analysis
methods is an advantage.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. (French is not required)
We offer
- Opportunity to perform state-of-the-art research in one of the most dynamic scientific institutions in Europe.
- Competitive salary and excellent educational conditions.
- Term of employment: 1-year fixed-term contract (CDD), renewable for 4 years.
Informations
Only applications submitted through the online platform are considered. Interested applicants should upload the
following documents:
- CV
- Motivation statement (please indicate your earliest availability date)
- Grades from bachelor and master studies
Different projects can start at different times.
Ideally at least one candidate would start in the Fall of 2025 (earliest starting date is October 2025), other
projects are supposed to start January 2026.
Screening will start immediately and will continue until suitable candidates have been found.
Working place : Lausanne
Contract Type : CDD for 1 year, renewable for 4 years
To be eligible for a PhD at EPFL, note that candidates also need to be enrolled in one of the EPFL doctoral school
programs. This is a separate application process that you can start in parallel. We suggest that you apply to the
Doctoral Program in Mechanics (EDME).
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Prof. Karen Mulleners (karen.mulleners@epfl.ch).
and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main
missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working
environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000
researchers from more than 120 different countries.
PhD positions - Experimental unsteady fluid and vortex dynamics
Mission
The Unsteady Flow Diagnostics Laboratory (UNFoLD) led by Prof. Karen Mulleners at EPFL in Lausanne is looking for
multiple PhD students to join the group in the fall of 2025 or early 2026.
The UNFoLD lab specialises in the experimental measurements, analysis, and modelling of unsteady vortex-dominated flow
phenomena, with applications in bio-inspired propulsion, wind turbine rotor blade aerodynamics, gust interactions, and
fluid-structure interactions. The research focuses on unfolding the origin and development of unsteady flow separation
and vortex formation. The lab has built a reputation for carefully designed and precisely controlled experiments , high
quality temporally and spatially resolved field experiments using particle image velocimetry combined with synchronised
measurements of the technically relevant quantities, such as aerodynamic forces or power output, exploratory data
analyses to bridge the gap between our observations and understanding of the development and interaction of vortices,
and the technically relevant quantities.
Several open PhD postions are available for fully funded projects on:
- Flow separation on three-dimensional wings
- Fluid-structure interactions of flapping flags
- (Bio-inspired) unsteady vortex formation and interaction
More information about the lab and the ongoing and past projects can be found here: https://www.epfl.ch/labs/unfold/
Main duties and responsibilities
Your responsibilities:
-
Perform original experimental research on vortex dominated flows.
-
Lead and contribute to publications in scientific journals.
-
Contribute to general lab activities (including teaching assistance and co-supervision of student projects)
Profile
- A master's degree in engineering, environmental sciences, or physics.
- Strong interest in experimental fluid mechanics.
- Experience with experimental (fluid) mechanics OR in designing laboratory experiments OR in data-driven analysis
methods is an advantage.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. (French is not required)
We offer
- Opportunity to perform state-of-the-art research in one of the most dynamic scientific institutions in Europe.
- Competitive salary and excellent educational conditions.
- Term of employment: 1-year fixed-term contract (CDD), renewable for 4 years.
Informations
Only applications submitted through the online platform are considered. Interested applicants should upload the
following documents:
- CV
- Motivation statement (please indicate your earliest availability date)
- Grades from bachelor and master studies
Different projects can start at different times.
Ideally at least one candidate would start in the Fall of 2025 (earliest starting date is October 2025), other
projects are supposed to start January 2026.
Screening will start immediately and will continue until suitable candidates have been found.
Working place : Lausanne
Contract Type : CDD for 1 year, renewable for 4 years
To be eligible for a PhD at EPFL, note that candidates also need to be enrolled in one of the EPFL doctoral school
programs. This is a separate application process that you can start in parallel. We suggest that you apply to the
Doctoral Program in Mechanics (EDME).
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Prof. Karen Mulleners (karen.mulleners@epfl.ch).