The Physics of Fluids group works on a variety of aspects in Fluid Mechanics. The focus of our work is the fundamental understanding the phenomena of the physics of fluids. Present research areas include turbulence and multiphase flow, micro- and nanofluidics, biomedical flow, and granular flow. Both fundamental science and more applied science - then often in close collaboration with industrial partners - is done in the group and both experimental, theoretical, and numerical methods are used. The group presently has 10 scientific staff members, 7 part-time professors, 4 supporting technicians, and typically 10 postdocs, 45 PhD students, and 10-15 master students. Numerous natural phenomena and industrial applications involve turbulence with complex-shaped particles. However, most experimental and numerical studies into particle-laden turbulence have been carried out for low volume fractions of particles (?<1%) with simple rigid geometries (spheres and fibers). The bottlenecks for experimental investigation of soft or anisotropic particles in turbulence are the lack of powerful equipment for turbulence generation including sophisticated measurement techniques, and the low throughput of processes that enable fabrication of complex-shaped particles with controlled stiffness. The objective of this project is to open up and investigate unexplored parameter spaces of particle-laden turbulence. In collaboration with another research group we will design and fabricate tailored particles via in-air photopolymerization, a new platform for particle fabrication. The connection between the in-air process and the particle properties will be opened for the first time, by high-speed imaging of the flow and solidification dynamics during particle formation. Particles with controlled shape, flexibility, and local composition will be fabricated and placed in turbulent flows.

You have a strong background in (applied) physics, aerospace engineering, or mechanical engineering, or in a closely related discipline. You have strong communication skills, including fluency in written and spoken English. You are enthusiastic and highly motivated to do a PhD. Experimental (lab) experience, extended knowledge on fluid mechanics, and experience in image and data analysis are required.

• Fulltime position for four years
• The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in a stimulating scientific environment.
• The PhD salary is € 2.541,-in the first year and increases to € 3.247,- in the fourth year.
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• The number of holiday hours for full-time employment is 232 hours per calendar year.
• A personal development program within the Twente Graduate School.

The Physics of Fluids group POF is the largest fluid dynamics group in the Netherlands with roughly 50 PhDs, 15 PostDocs and over 100 members now. Our group studies various flow phenomena, especially those with bubbles, particles, and droplets. We use both experimental, theoretical, and numerical techniques. Our flows extend from nanometers to astrophysical scales and Reynolds numbers from zero to millions.