PhD Positions

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter, CV, and 1-page research statement to Dr. Xinfeng Gao

Email

The CFD & Propulsion Laboratory is focused on developing advanced CFD algorithms and deploying them on the latest architectures. The selected candidate will work in a team environment to develop solution methods to complex engineering challenges, and they will have the opportunity to collaborate with multidisciplinary researchers from national labs and to intern in the national labs during the course of research. Research topics may require U.S. citizenship. We have several openings for PhD students in the following research topics:

1. Moving Embedded Boundary and Mapped Multiblock Techniques with Adaptive Mesh Refinement for High-Order CFD Algorithms

2. Solution-Adaptive, High-Order, Moving Embedded Boundary Algorithms for Complex Fluid Dynamics

3. Parallel-in-Time CFD Algorithms

4. Integrating Data Assimilation and Deep Learning with Uncertainty Quantification for CFD

5. Quantum Algorithms for CFD

Nature and Scope of Positions:

The research scope for each position is developing technologies for moving and overlapping grids for fourth-order algorithms with adaptive mesh refinement, developing and applying space-time parallel algorithms, integrating HPC with data analytics, and exploring quantum algorithms for CFD, respectively.

Each position is best suited for a student who is adept at math, has a strong interest in highly logistical programming, keeps abreast of new computing architectures, and is passionate about aerospace engineering. Applications should include a demonstration of this interest; examples might include software development through work or studies, or hobbies such as programming games. The selected candidate will be funded throughout the PhD study.

Essential Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

  • B.S./M.S. in Aerospace Sciences \& Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer science, or Applied mathematics
  • Background in CFD, computational methods, or scientific computing
  • Strong and demonstrated interest in programming
  • Experience in the development of numerical algorithms for partial differential equations is highly desired
  • Interpersonal communication skills necessary to work effectively in a team environment
  • Good technical writing and oral presentation skills in English

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of CFD and programming experience in C++ and Fortran
  • Experience with parallel technologies including MPI, shared-memory programming models (OpenMP, POSIX threads), vector processors (SSE, AVX), and accelerators (Cuda, OpenCL)
  • Experience with the design, implementation, deployment, and maintenance of software
  • Experience with HPC systems and Linux
  • Experience with scientific computing applications