PhD studentships available in computational modelling and simulation
The “Advanced Simulation and Modelling of Engineering Systems” (ASiMoV) Prosperity Partnership is excited to announce an opportunity for fully-funded PhD studentships working on cutting-edge computational modelling and simulation projects with a close link into industrial applications.
ASiMoV is a ground-breaking 5-year project that seeks to develop the next generation of engineering simulation and modelling techniques, with the aim of developing the world's first high-fidelity simulation of a complete gas-turbine engine during operation. It will require breakthroughs across the simulation domain (mathematics, algorithms, software, security and computer architectures) and uniquely combines fundamental engineering and computational science research to address a challenge that is well beyond the capabilities of today’s state-of-the-art. The project is jointly led by EPCC, the supercomputing centre at the University of Edinburgh, and Rolls-Royce; collaborating with the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge, Oxford and Warwick.
The ultimate, long-term goal of the research is to enable the “virtual certification” of aero engines. The necessary simulation capability is essential, but so is the evidential basis for trusting the simulation. Requirements for speed, fidelity and accuracy are well beyond current modelling, simulation and high performance computing capabilities. The project will demonstrate the need for techniques that can exploit future computing platforms and the unprecedented amounts of data they consume and produce, robustly, securely and affordably.
ASiMoV is looking to recruit a cohort of PhD candidates across the Universities of Edinburgh, Bristol, Oxford and Warwick to join the existing body of researchers. The students would be expected to take up their positions in autumn 2019.
Project topics
The ASiMoV Prosperity Partnership research agenda spans a wide range of topics related to the simulation and modelling of gas-turbines, and partner organisations each specialise in a particular area of this research challenge. The topics available to PhD students are closely aligned with the research agendas of the different universities, listed below.
EPCC
1 fully-funded PhD studentship, UK/Europe or Overseas including fees and stipend.
The studentship will focus on Exascale data and I/O, in particular the management, storage and use of extreme volumes of data resulting from multi-scale and multi-physics simulation workloads.
Find out more
Prof Mark Parsons: m.parsons@epcc.ed.ac.uk(link sends e-mail)
Dr Michèle Weiland: m.weiland@epcc.ed.ac.uk(link sends e-mail)
The University of Bristol
2 fully-funded PhD studentships with enhanced stipend.
The design and evaluation of future computer architectures; simulation technologies; performance portability of ASiMoV-related algorithms and software; parallel programming techniques; the application of emerging AI/ML-related computer architectures to solve ASiMoV science challenges.
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Prof Simon McIntosh-Smith: simonm@cs.bris.ac.uk(link sends e-mail)
The University of Oxford
2 fully-funded DPhil studentships, one UK/EU and one Overseas. In addition, 1 EPSRC studentship.
The main focus for studentships available at Oxford are the contact detection and interaction between interacting solid bodies, the discretisation and mapping between sub-domains at different length scales in concurrent multi-scale simulations, and the fusing and structural integrity of large assemblies of solid bodies, such as large fan systems of future civil aviation gas turbine engines.
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Prof Nik Petrinic: nik.petrinic@eng.ox.ac.uk(link sends e-mail)
The University of Warwick
2 fully-funded PhD studentships, one UK/Europe and one Overseas including fees and stipend. In addition, 1 EPSRC studentship.
Performance modeling, analysis and prediction of HPC applications and systems, tool/simulator development, benchmarking and tracing, performance-oriented code optimisation and scalability analysis, tuning/auto-tuning of algorithms and libraries, domain specific languages to support code porting to novel architectures and performance portability.
Find out more
Dr Gihan Mudalige: g.mudalige@warwick.ac.uk(link sends e-mail)
Note that the topics listed here are examples and not necessarily an exhaustive list. Prospective candidates should contact the Universities directly (see contact details below) for further information, including how to apply.
Application deadline
31 July 2019
More about the organisations
EPCC, the supercomputing centre at the University of Edinburgh, is the UK’s leading centre for High Performance Computing and Data Analytics. EPCC offers a unique atmosphere where industry works seamlessly with academia, making it possible to have a foot in both worlds. This is an exciting time to join us as we have recently moved into the flagship Bayes Centre in the centre of Edinburgh and we are looking for talented individuals to grow along with us. Solid programming skills (C / C++ / Fortran) are essential for all PhD topics at EPCC. Experience with parallel programming and high-performance computing is desirable but not essential.
The University of Bristol’s High Performance Computing research group is based in the Department of Computer Science, one of the UK’s top institutions in this area. The Bristol HPC group is a world-leader in advanced computer architectures, massively parallel algorithms, and parallel programming languages. The group recently led the design and development of ‘Isambard’, the world’s first Arm-based production supercomputer, and is now partnering with companies around the world developing next-generation systems. A background in computer architecture, architecture simulation, and parallel programming is highly desirable.
The University of Oxford’s research in Solid Mechanics and Materials Engineering has a long tradition in Oxford, initiated by Hooke, whose work on the elasticity of springs may be regarded as the foundation of the mechanics of deformable solids. At present, activities encompass many techniques (experimental, theoretical and numerical) and spread over a wide range of materials (composites, metals, polymers, biomaterials, etc). Research activities in this domain are highly inter-disciplinary, with a strong focus on industrial applications. The group has strong links with industry, particularly in the energy and aerospace sectors. Much of the aerospace related research takes place in the Rolls-Royce funded UTC in Solid Mechanics. The UTC was established in 1990 with the aim of undertaking strategic and applied research relevant to Rolls-Royce's technology base (power systems providing power for land, sea and air).
The University of Warwick’s Department of Computer Science is one of the leading computing departments in the country. The department’s High Performance Systems research group was established over 30 years ago, and has long-standing research partnerships with national laboratories, leading computer manufacturers and multi-national science and engineering companies. Recent PhD graduates from the group have gone on to work at ARM, BAE Systems, HMGCC, Intel, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories. PhD candidates must have strong programming skills and knowledge of parallel and distributed computing.