Mesoscopic flow modelling of complex particle suspensions
Applications are invited for two postdoctoral positions in mesoscopic modelling of complex suspensions at the CFD group (BCAM).
Many numerical techniques have been developed in the past decades to target suspensions with simple Newtonian solvents, however scarce results are available in the case of non-Newtonian matrices or morphologically-complex shapes. Building upon our previous work [1,2,3], the goal of this project is to design and further develop fully-resolved Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) models of particulate systems
(1) interacting with complex viscoelastic and thixoplastic suspending media and
(2) with complex anisotropic and highly-irregularly-shaped particles in suspension.
Focus will be on the specific particle dynamics (sedimentation etc.), as well the resulting rheological behaviour of the suspension and link to microstructure.
The postdoctoral candidate will work under the supervision of Ikerbasque Prof. Marco Ellero (CFD group, BCAM) on the developments and use of novel mesoscopic particle-simulation methods to better understand the fluid dynamics and rheology of complex suspensions. Close collaborations with technological centers in the Basque Country is expected (Leartiker, Tecnalia), where experimental data will be provided to calibrated and validate the models.
References
[1] Shear thickening of a non-colloidal suspension with a viscoelastic matrix, A Vázquez-Quesada, P Español, RI Tanner, M Ellero, Journal of Fluid Mechanics 880, p. 1070-1094 (2019).
[2] Shear thinning of noncolloidal suspensions, A Vázquez-Quesada, RI Tanner, M Ellero, Physical Review Letters 117 (10), p. 108001 (2016).
[3] Dynamics and rheology of a suspension of super paramagnetic chains under the combined effect of a shear flow and a rotating magnetic field, E Rossi, JA Ruiz-Lopez, A Vázquez-Quesada, M Ellero, Soft Matter 17, p.6006 (2021)

Deadline: 9 September 2022
Applications at: http://www.bcamath.org/en/research/job/ic2022-07-postdotoral-fellowship-in-cfd-modelling-and-simulation
Contract: 1 + 1 year
No positions offered: 2

Requirements:
Applicants must have their PhD completed before the contract starts.
PhD degree preferable in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Chemical/Mechanical Engineering

Skills:
Good communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to effectively communicate and present research ideas to researchers with different background (e.g., mathematicians and engineers).
Ability to clearly present and publish research outcomes in spoken (talks) and written (papers) form.
Good command of spoken and written English

The preferred candidate will have:

– background in fluid mechanics, rheology, soft matter, particulate systems or complex fluids.
– Experience in modelling and simulation using particle methods such as smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH), dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) or molecular dynamics (MD) is required.
– Knowledge of C/C++ or Fortran programming languages is required.
– Experience in parallel programming for HPC is desirable