Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering

Research Associate In CFD for Off Design Installed Nacelles (ODIN) REQ210249

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to redeployment, please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any stage of the recruitment process if a suitable redeployee is identified.

Project Description

Ultra-high bypass ratio engines offer propulsive efficiency improvements and potential fuel burn reduction. The associated larger diameter can lead to an increase in nacelle drag that can erode the expected cycle benefits. Also, larger engines are likely to be closely coupled with the aircraft. Consequently, compact nacelles are needed to counter these aspects and to translate cycle fuel burn benefits into combined engine-airframe performance. An objective of ODIN is to develop design capability and detailed aerodynamic knowledge for installed compact nacelles to operate at off-design conditions such as take-off high lift, windmill and idle. Within a wider context of future power-plant integration, ODIN’s objectives include the improved understanding of exhaust suppression and jet-flap interaction noise. The viable design space for compact nacelles will be determined, across cruise and off-design conditions, with a multi-objective, multi-point optimisation method. High fidelity computations, and state-of-the-art high-resolution measurements with a novel section test rig, will reveal detailed aerodynamics of the design-limiting flow separation mechanisms. A synthesis of the multi-fidelity computational and experimental data will provide a calibration of the medium fidelity methods required for industrial design. An advanced dual- stream exhaust rig test will quantify installed exhaust suppression and jet-flap interaction noise and provide unique data to calibrate the computational methods at design and off-design conditions. Design constraints imposed by noise levels will be identified through experiments and high fidelity acoustic computations, which will also propose acoustic sensor layouts for the UHBR flight test demonstrator. Overall, ODIN will deliver validated design guidelines for novel nacelles to ensure cruise and off-design performance as well as the validation of computational methods for jet noise and exhaust suppression modelling.

This work is part of the EU funded Horizon 2020 / Clean Sky project ODIN (Off Design Installed Nacelles), being led by Cranfield University and in partnership with Loughborough University, the University of Cambridge and the Aircraft Research Association.

Job Description

To carry out high fidelity simulations of the nacelle designs being proposed by Cranfield, to compute reference solutions for the University of Cambridge transonic nacelle test rig, and to compute aeroacoustic DES simulations of the ARA Dual-Stream exhaust rig.

The candidate is expected to possess a PhD or have research experience towards a PhD level. The Research Associate will be based in the RRUTC / NCCAT Facility within the Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering on the Loughborough Campus.

Job Grade: Specialist and Supporting Grade 6

Job Purpose: The Research Associate will be responsible for conducting research into High fidelity CFD simulation of off-design installed ncaelles.

2 Job Duties

Research

The work entails, primarily, the following activities under the direction and supervision of Professor Gary Page and in collaboration with Cranfield University, University of Cambridge and the Aircraft Research Association.

• To develop the research into the problem of ultra-high bypass ratio installed aerodynamics and aeroacoustics. • To develop an understanding of the the Rolls-Royce Hydra CFD code and associated tools. • To familiarise and become competent with using open source CFD software (OpenFOAM and Nektar++) • To plan, manage and conduct the work to agreed deadlines. • To write and submit reports, conference and journal papers on the research outcomes and make presentations on the work to relevant industrial research groups and at appropriate seminars/workshops/conferences etc. • To compute reference solutions for the University of Cambridge transonic nacelle test rig, and to compute aeroacoustic DES simulations of the ARA Dual-Stream exhaust rig. • To maintain confidentiality where appropriate and To undertake such other duties as may be reasonably requested and that are commensurate with the nature and grade of the post.

Teaching Teaching is not the primary purpose of this post and teaching load will be small relative to the typical load of a member of academic staff in the School, but the Research Associates may be expected to contribute to taught programmes and student projects, at any level, if appropriate and if requested to do so.

Other Related Activities and Functions • To engage in training programmes in the University (e.g. through Professional Development) and elsewhere as required. • All staff have a statutory responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves, others and the environment and to prevent harm by their acts or omissions. All staff are therefore required to adhere to the University’s Health, Safety and Environmental Policy & Procedures. • To undertake such other duties as may be reasonably requested and that are commensurate with the nature and grade of the post.

Points To Note

The purpose of this job description is to indicate the general level of duties and responsibility of the post. The detailed duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character or level of responsibility entailed.

Special Conditions

All staff have a statutory responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves, others and the environment and to prevent harm by their acts or omissions. All staff are therefore required to adhere to the University’s Health, Safety and Environmental Policy & Procedures.

All staff should hold a duty and commitment to observing the University’s Equality & Diversity policy and procedures at all times. Duties must be carried out in accordance with relevant Equality & Diversity legislation and University policies/procedures.

Successful completion of probation will be dependent on attendance at the University’s mandatory courses which include Respecting Diversity and, where appropriate, Recruitment and Selection.

Organisational Responsibility

Reports to the project PI.

3 Person Specification

Your application will be reviewed against the essential and desirable criteria listed below. Applicants are strongly advised to explicitly state and evidence how they meet each of the essential (and desirable) criteria in their application. Stages of assessment are as follows:

1 – Application 2 – Test/Assessment Centre/Presentation 3 – Interview

Essential Criteria Area Criteria Stage Experience Recent relevant research experience in an Academic or Industrial 1,3 environment Software development in Fortran and C++ (1,3) 1,3

CFD based research in areas involving Large Eddy Simulation 1,3

Skills and Ability to work independently and also as part of a team 1,3 abilities Ability to write project reports and to make technical presentations to 1,3 industrial and academic research groups Competence in: the use of UNIX/Linux operating systems; programming in 1,3 Fortran and C++ and the use of software development tools Ability to generate grids for complex geometries 1,3

Highly-motivated with the ability to set and meet deadlines appropriate to 1,3 the progress of the project. Training Willingness to undertake appropriate further training and to adopt new 1,3 procedures as and when required. Qualifications A PhD degree or near to completion with research experience and study in 1,3 CFD Good honours degree in engineering, science, mathematics or computer 1 science. Other Commitment to observing the University’s Equal Opportunities policy at all 1 times.

Desirable Criteria Area Criteria Stage Experience Experience of the application of CFD to propulsion installation or jet noise 1,3 Skills and Familiarity with CAD, grid-generation, parallel processing and flow 1,3 Abilities visualization.

Familiarity with complex computer codes and compilation 1

Conditions of Service

The position is full-time and fixed-term until 30 September 2023. Salary will be on Grade 6, (£30,942 - £40,322 per annum) at starting salary to be confirmed on offer of appointment.

The appointment will be subject to the University’s normal Terms and Conditions of Employment for Grade 6 and above staff, details of which can be found here.

The University is committed to enabling staff to maintain a healthy work-home balance and has a number of family- 4 friendly policies which are available at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/hr/a-z/family-leave-policy-and-procedure--- page.html.

We also offer an on-campus nursery with subsidised places, subsidised places at local holiday clubs and a childcare voucher scheme (further details are available at: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/hr/a-z/childcare- information---page.html

In addition, the University is supportive, wherever possible, of flexible working arrangements. We also strive to create a culture that supports equality and celebrates diversity throughout the campus. The University holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award which recognises the importance of support for women at all stages of their academic career. For further information on Athena SWAN see http://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/hr/athena-swan/

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