Project Overview
About the Position
Investigating fast computational approaches like Lattice Boltzmann Methods and GPU-accelerated CFD for modelling urban airflow and environmental hazard assessment.
| Opportunity | PhD Real-Time Urban Wind Simulation & Data Reduction for Environmental Hazard Assessment |
| Host | University of Salford |
| Location | Manchester, United Kingdom |
| Study Level | PhD |
| Funding | Partially Funded |
| Stipend | Competitive university funding may be available. The general widening-participation scheme is restricted to eligible UK- |
| Application Deadline | Applications accepted all year round |
| Apply | Official application page ↗ |
Funding Must Be Confirmed Separately
The linked university fees page describes competitive scholarships rather than a guaranteed award for this specific research project. Its 2027 widening-participation scheme advertises UK tuition and annual support of GBP 21,805 for eligible UK-fee candidates, subject to selection and the scheme conditions. Do not assume this funding is available automatically or covers an international applicant. Ask the university about the actual project offer.
Basic Information
- Project Title: Real-Time Urban Wind Simulation and Data Reduction for Environmental Hazard Assessment
- Host Institution: University of Salford
- School: School of Science, Engineering and Environment (SEE)
- Supervisor: Dr Marta Camps Santasmasas
- Study Level: PhD
- Application Deadline: Applications accepted all year round
- Funding: Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
- Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
- Disciplines: Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Built Environment, Civil Engineering, Computational Mathematics, Computational Physics, Data Science, Environmental Engineering, Fluid Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering
Research Position Overview
This PhD project will investigate fast computational approaches for modelling urban airflow and environmental hazard assessment in complex city environments. The research is motivated by emerging challenges in Urban Air Mobility (UAM), UAV operations, emergency response planning, and sustainable urban infrastructure.
The Problem
Urban wind flow strongly influences pollutant dispersion, pedestrian safety, and UAV operation within cities. However, high-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are computationally expensive and generate very large datasets, limiting their use in real-time applications and decision-making.
Research Focus
This project will explore accelerated and reduced-order modelling approaches for urban airflow simulation, potentially including:
- Lattice Boltzmann Methods (LBM)
- GPU-accelerated CFD
- Surrogate modelling
- Real-time data reduction techniques
Key Research Objectives
The research will focus on converting large volumes of time-dependent CFD outputs into actionable information, such as hazard maps, flow indicators, and environmental risk metrics, without requiring large-scale data storage.
Skills You Will Develop
- Computational fluid dynamics
- Scientific programming
- High-performance computing (HPC)
- Data processing
- Urban environmental modelling
Collaboration Opportunities
Depending on the student's interests and project evolution, there may also be opportunities to collaborate with researchers in AI, uncertainty quantification, urban systems, and environmental acoustics.
Supervisor Profile: Dr Marta Camps Santasmasas
Dr Marta Camps Santasmasas is a Lecturer in Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Salford. She develops computer simulations that help us understand how air moves through cities and around structures, supporting applications from wind energy to urban safety.
Research Specialisms
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
- Advanced simulation methods for airflow around structures
- Atmospheric boundary layer flows (urban wind flow, wind energy)
- Real time and interactive computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
Professional Background
She is a member of the Women in High Performance Computing network. She previously worked as a research engineer for Normawind, using CFD modelling to optimise wind turbine generators layouts in complex terrains, and as an urban atmospheric modeller for CHAM, an industrial CFD consultancy. She completed her PhD in Computational Fluid Dynamics (2016-2021).
Eligibility and Requirements
- Academic Background: Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or related discipline
- Desirable Skills: Experience with programming and numerical methods
- Degree Classification: First Class or 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent)
- English Language: IELTS 6.5 (minimum) for non-native English speakers
Funding Details
- Funding Type: Funded PhD Project
- Eligibility: Students Worldwide
- Funding Schemes: University of Salford funding schemes – including the Widening Participation Scholarship
Widening Participation Scholarship Details:
- Value: Covers tuition fees (UK tuition fees), a stipend for 3.5 years of the applicable award rate, and an annual research budget of £1,000 (years 1-3)
- Eligibility: UK candidates who meet widening participation criteria
- Number Available: 10 PhD widening participation scholarships for UK candidates
Application Documents Required:
- Research Proposal
- Personal Statement
- CV
Application Guide:
Use this Research Proposal, Personal statement, and CV guide when preparing an application: https://issuu.com/universityofsalford2/docs/see_research_proposal_personal_statement_cv_guid?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ
Contact:
Dr Marta Camps Santasmasas(M.CampsSantasmasas@salford.ac.uk)
Contact
Questions about this position, eligibility or the application process should be sent to the contacts above or raised through the channel given on the official announcement page.
Official Link
Full announcement and application portal: https://www.salford.ac.uk/postgraduate-research/fees
Source: salford.ac.uk - the details in this listing were recorded from this official page.
Important Notes
- Application deadline: Applications accepted all year round - late or incomplete applications are normally not considered.
- Listing details were recorded from the official source at the time of publication; always confirm the latest requirements on the official page before applying.
- Prepare the documents listed in the eligibility and application sections before starting the online form - transcripts, CV and references take the longest to collect.
About University of Salford
University of Salford is a public university in Greater Manchester, England. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes across engineering, computing, health, business and creative disciplines. Its research includes acoustics and applied science, while links with employers and public organisations help connect academic learning with practical challenges and professional development.
Official website: https://www.salford.ac.uk/
How to Apply
Submit your application through the official portal before the deadline: Applications accepted all year round. Read the eligibility requirements carefully and prepare all requested documents — early applications are strongly recommended for competitive awards.
Open the official application page ↗
Application guides
Frequently asked questions
Drawn from this listing's own record. Always confirm the details on the official source before applying.
What is the deadline for PhD Real-Time Urban Wind Simulation & Data Reduction for Environmental Hazard Assessment?
Applications for this listing stay open on a rolling basis — there is no fixed closing date (Applications accepted all year round). Apply early: rolling awards are often confirmed in the order applications are received.
How is PhD Real-Time Urban Wind Simulation & Data Reduction for Environmental Hazard Assessment funded?
This is a partially funded award: funding is listed as partial, so it covers only part of the cost rather than the whole programme. What is covered (fees, living costs or both) is not set out in the source — check the source for what it covers and price the remainder before you apply. Competitive university funding may be available.
Who is eligible to apply for PhD Real-Time Urban Wind Simulation & Data Reduction for Environmental Hazard Assessment?
This opportunity is open to applicants worldwide. Host-country status is not a requirement, although you must still satisfy the visa rules for United Kingdom. Applications are assessed by University of Salford.
How do I apply for PhD Real-Time Urban Wind Simulation & Data Reduction for Environmental Hazard Assessment?
Applications for PhD Real-Time Urban Wind Simulation & Data Reduction for Environmental Hazard Assessment are submitted directly to University of Salford through the provider's own application portal — use the Apply button on this page to open it. NextApply does not process applications or charge a fee.
Is an English proficiency test required for PhD Real-Time Urban Wind Simulation & Data Reduction for Environmental Hazard Assessment?
Yes — an English-language certificate is required for this listing. Check the exact band expected on the official source, since it can differ by programme. Requirements for United Kingdom are published by the provider.
What study level does PhD Real-Time Urban Wind Simulation & Data Reduction for Environmental Hazard Assessment offer?
This listing is offered at PhD level. That describes the qualification on offer, not a credential you must already hold — check the provider's stated entry requirements before applying.