PhD Studentship: Numerical simulation of boiling flows for high heat flux fusion components
Fully‑funded 4‑year PhD studentship (UK Home fee status) at the University of Nottingham and the UKAEA Fusion Technology Facility.
Area: Engineering – Location: UK Other – Closing Date: Saturday 31 January 2026 – Reference: ENG289
Aim and Objectives
This project aims to develop a high‑fidelity modelling framework to predict key thermal‑hydraulic parameters for boiling flows within complex geometries at high heat flux conditions, relevant to the engineering design of thermal management elements for fusion components. The framework foresees two building blocks: high‑fidelity CFD simulations of boiling flows within complex geometry using open‑source software and cutting‑edge adaptive mesh refinement techniques; a lightweight prediction tool developed upon the simulation data to predict key thermofluidic parameters for the design of high heat flux cooling components.
* Develop and validate a CFD tool for interface‑resolved simulations of boiling, built upon existing software available at Nottingham.
* Use CFD simulations to characterise bubble dynamics and heat transfer in subcooled flow boiling within bends and complex geometries in fusion‑relevant cooling channels.
* Develop and validate an advanced boiling model with a specific focus on Critical Heat Flux (CHF), tailored to complex geometries typical of fusion reactor cooling systems.
* Compile a comprehensive dataset of boiling parameters to support machine learning‑based analysis of two‑phase flow behaviour.
The successful applicant will be based at the University of Nottingham and will spend time annually at UKAEA Fusion Technology Facility in Yorkshire, working with the Thermal Hydraulics Group to support knowledge transfer.
Funding notes
Students will receive a 4‑year studentship including home tuition fees, UKRI stipend (21 804 pounds in 26‑27) and an RTSG budget for project costs. All costs associated with attending CDT training will be met by the CDT. This project is part‑funded by a Community Studentship provided by the Fusion Engineering CDT, and hence the student will be based at the University of Nottingham. The student should expect to engage fully with the 3‑month full‑time training programme in the Fusion Engineering CDT at the start of the course (October to December inclusive). CDT training will be delivered across the CDT partner universities at Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool. The training course requires weekly travel to attend in‑person training at these universities. For further information about the CDT programme, please visit www.fusion-engineering-cdt.ac.uk or send an email to hello@fusion-engineering-cdt.ac.uk.
Candidate requirements
* Due to the nature of the funding, the position is only available for candidates qualifying for UK Home fee status. Applications from non‑UK candidates will not be considered.
* 1 st or 2:1 academic qualification in Engineering or Physical Sciences or a related discipline, with expertise in fluid mechanics and heat transfer.
* Experience with Computational Fluid Dynamics software, preferably OpenFOAM.
* Programming skills with software such as Matlab and/or Python.
How To Apply
Please send an email with subject "PhD studentship: Numerical simulation of boiling flows for high heat flux fusion components" to Dr Mirco Magnini, mirco.magnini@nottingham.ac.uk, attaching a cover letter, CV and academic transcripts. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Suitable applicants will be interviewed, and if successful, invited to make a formal application. Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and notified.
Deadline for applications: 31 01 2026.
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