About the Project
Supervisory Team: Temistocle Grenga and Edward Richardson
AI for Zero-Carbon Combustion. Develop a dynamic mixed model powered by super-resolution GANs to predict hydrogen and sustainable-fuel flames in large eddy simulation. Combine deep learning, physics and exascale computing to help design future zero-carbon energy systems. Ideal for engineering, physics or maths graduates passionate about AI and fluids.
Teach neural networks the physics of flames and help power a hydrogen future.
Hydrogen and carbon-neutral fuels are key to net zero, but their flames are notoriously hard to predict. They switch between combustion regimes, develop intrinsic instabilities and push energy back up the scales. Today's turbulence-combustion models can't keep up. Your PhD will change that.
You'll advance a new hybrid approach: a dynamic mixed model powered by super-resolution GANs. It pairs the robustness of physics-based closures with AI's ability to reconstruct unresolved small-scale flow features. The goal is large eddy simulation models that generalise beyond their training data, need less high-fidelity data and run on the world's fastest supercomputers.
What you'll do
- generate DNS databases of hydrogen and sustainable-fuel flames
- push the super-resolution dynamic mixed model to new flame regimes and fuels
- build physics directly into the learning
- open the black box: discover what GAN discriminators really learn
- embed your models in a CFD code and validate them in real LES
- scale your work to exascale computing
Why join us
- build on published, cutting-edge research
- work where AI, supercomputing and clean energy meet
- gain machine-learning, CFD and HPC skills prized by industry and academia
Training will be provided on HPC, programming, machine learning, and fluid dynamics will be realized through participation in Summer Schools and European Training events (e.g. Cypher COST)
Entry requirements
A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent in one of the following:
- mechanical engineering
- aerospace engineering
- chemical engineering
- energy engineering
- physics
- applied mathematics
Desirable skills:
- fluid dynamics
- turbulence
- data analysis
- programming experience (Python, C++ or Fortran)
- a passion for AI and fluid dynamics
Fees and funding
We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students. Horizon Europe fee waivers automatically cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students.
Competition-based Presidential Bursaries from the University cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants.
Competition-based studentships offered by our schools typically cover UK-level tuition fees and a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants.
Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.
For more information, please visit our postgraduate research funding pages.
How to apply
You need to:
- choose programme type (Research), 2027/28, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- select Full time or Part time
- search for programme PhD Engineering & the Environment (7175)
- add name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application
Applications should include:
- your CV (resumé)
- 2 academic references
- degree transcripts and certificates to date
- English language qualification (if applicable)
Contact us
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
For questions about applying, [contact details available in the full listing].
Project leader
For an initial conversation, [contact details available in the full listing]
The School of Engineering is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees' well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.
