The School of Engineering, Mathematics and Physics at the University of East Anglia (UEA) invites applications for a PhD Studentship titled “Nonlinear Waves on Liquid Cylinders.” Primary supervision will be provided by Prof. Mark Blyth.

Project Overview: Inviscid liquid jets subject to surface tension and in the absence of gravity are well known to be unstable under long-wave perturbations, a phenomenon classically described by the Rayleigh–Plateau instability. However, when vorticity and swirl are incorporated, recent theoretical work by Erhard et al. (2022) has demonstrated the existence of nonlinear travelling-wave solutions on such jets, although their detailed properties remain largely unexplored.

This PhD project focuses on developing novel computational and numerical methods to compute and characterize these novel wave solutions, with particular emphasis on solitary waves and evaluating their stability. The mathematical and numerical techniques developed during this research will deepen the fundamental understanding of nonlinear wave phenomena in fluid mechanics and contribute significantly to the broader theory of interfacial flows.

Programme & Mode of Study:

• Available for full-time or part-time study.

• Expected start date: February 1, 2027.

• Additional alumni perks: Graduates from the UEA alumni community may be eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee discount.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Minimum entry requirement is a First or Upper Second-Class (2:1) Honours degree (or equivalent) in Mathematics, Physics, or a closely related quantitative field.

• Offered on a self-funded basis: Open to applicants who are self-funded or currently in the process of securing external funding.

Required expertise/skills:

• Strong foundation in applied mathematics, theoretical physics, or fluid mechanics.

• Proficiency or capability in developing computational and numerical methods for differential equations and fluid flow simulations.

• Demonstrated interest in nonlinear waves, stability analysis, and interfacial fluid dynamics.

Salary details: Not Specified / Self-Funded A bench fee is payable in addition to standard tuition fees to cover specialist equipment and laboratory facilities; applicants should contact the primary supervisor for exact bench fee details

Application Deadline: November 30, 2026

Application Link