The Chalmers University Of Technology is offering a Ph.D. student position in the Multiphase Flow group at the Division of Fluid Dynamics, in a project carried out in collaboration with Fraunhofer-Chalmers Centre. We are going to investigate migration, mixing, and modulation in reactive Brownian systems of arbitrary geometric complexity using our own state-of-the-art multiphase direct numerical simulation (DNS) method. These investigations are crucial to enable optimization of applications governed by the motion of metal nanoparticles, colloid contaminants, macromolecules, cellular bacteria, red blood cells, DNA, and fractal aggregates. Such applications include, for example, micro- or nanofluidic reactors, lab-on-a-chip devices, and surface-based sensors.
We are looking for a creative new colleague that wants to take on this challenge together with us. The group has approximately 15 members of varying backgrounds and research interests.
Project description
Transport of reactive Brownian particles of complex shape in intricate geometries plays a key role in a wide range of industrial and biological systems. In some applications, such as sensors, the ambition is to get a target particle as quickly as possible to a surface. In others, such as microfluidic reactors, particle-wall interactions lead to fouling, deterioration of functionality, and eventually blockage of the flow system.
In these processes, particles move in meandering trajectories due to thermal fluctuations while being transported with the flow. The interaction between particles of different kinds, and between particles and walls, can be very complex. Variations in particle shapes, sizes, and concentrations, as well as the details of the bounding geometry and the characteristics of the carrier flow, tend to give rise to particle migration.
In this project, we will use our previously developed computational framework to study migration, mixing, and modulation in geometrically complex reactive Brownian systems. We will identify under what conditions one can enhance or suppress the transport of a Brownian particle towards a surface. The results will be crucial for the further development and optimization of surface-based sensing techniques, for high-level control of mixing and segregation phenomena in microfluidic devices, and for anti-fouling measures in microfluidic devices.
Major responsibilities
Your major responsibility as a Ph.D. student is to pursue your doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing. Your research will be supervised by several well-reputed senior researchers, offering a supportive environment for performing cutting-edge research.
The position also includes teaching or other departmental duties corresponding to 10-20 % of working hours.
Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of 4.5-5 years depending on the amount of teaching and departmental work during your doctoral project.