UK Nonlinear News, Sept. 1995

Situations Vacant

(See also the THES online: http://www.timeshigher.newsint.co.uk )

Bristol

EPSRC PhD Research Studentship

A Dynamical Systems Approach to Modelling and Countering
Lateral Vibrations in Oil-Well Drillstrings

A PhD studentship, funded by EPSRC,is available to offer to someone interested in working on an application of dynamical systems to a real-world Engineering problem arising in the oil industry.
The project will involve mathematical modelling, numerical bifurcation analysis and simulation, together with an application of the theory of torus maps, nonlinear rotors, impact oscillators, and homoclinic bifurcations.

The studentship is to be held in the Engineering Mathematics Department of the University of Bristol starting in October 1995 (negotiable). Within the department there is a vibrant research group in applied nonlinear mathematics with currently 4 postdocs and 5 PhD students. There are also close links to groups in the School of Mathematics and in other engineering departments.

The award is only open to those considered eligible for EPSRC studentships, that is, British (fees plus maintenance grant) or European Community (fees only). The EPSRC has given very little notice of this studentship, so we are seeking a suitable candidate as soon as possible. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please encourage them to contact me directly and I will be happy to supply further details.

Contact: Dr Alan Champneys (a.r.champneys@bristol.ac.uk)
Department of Engineering Mathematics, Queens Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TR

UMIST

Two PhD Studentships

Evolution Equation for a Flame-Front with Memory

Bill Dold has a PhD studentship to offer to suitably qualified graduates who would be interested in studying propagating fluid dynamical boundaries (as are found in flames or some phase transitions). This studentship is only open to those normally considered eligible for EPSRC studentships,

Stochastic Resonance and Nonlinear Signal Processing

Dave Broomhead is offering a PhD studentship in the use of ideas from the theory of finite-dimensional dynamical systems to recover information from the output of a nonlinear system which is being driven by a combination of noise and a narrow band signal. This studentship is being funded by UMIST and is not EPSRC-restricted.

Both studentships are to be held in the mathematics department at UMIST.

Contact: David Broomhead (D.Broomhead@newton.newton.cam.ac.uk )
(From 1/9/95) Department of Mathematics, UMIST, PO Box 88, Manchester M60 1QD, UK

Bristol

Postdoctoral Research Assistantship

Mathematical Modelling of Air Combat

Funding for a one year postdoctoral appointment (possibly extendable for a further 3 years) in the Department of Engineering Mathematics to study pilot behaviour in air combat is expected to be available starting from October 1995 or at a mutually convenient time.The funding is by the DRA, the UK Defence Research Agency.

Aim: the aim of this study is to model pilot behaviour in air combat situations using chaos theory and to assess its value in validating air combat simulations. The objectives are to identify possible models of observed behaviour of fighter pilots in air combat simulations, and to implement one possible model in computer simulations. Funding: the initial funding is for one year but there is a strong possibility that the contract will be renewed for up to another 3 years after that.
Salary: initial salary will be up to 17,500 UK pounds depending on age and experience Facilities: a dedicated workstation will be available for this project, together with a complete copy of MATLAB. There is a generous travel budget. The successful applicant will be joining an expanding group of young researchers working on applying modern dynamical systems methods to problems of industrial and engineering interest. See the group's home page on http://www.fen.bris.ac.uk/engmaths/research/nonlinear/nonlinear.html for more detail. It is also expected that strong links will be made with the group in Mathematical Biology led by Dr. Houston (Zoology) and Dr. MacNamara (Mathematics) where related problems in pursuit-evasion theory are of interest.

Contact: Prof S. J. Hogan (S.J.Hogan@bristol.ac.uk)
Department of Engineering Mathematics, Queens Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TR

Warwick

PostDoctoral Research Assistant (3 Years)

Mathematical Modelling of Scar Tissue Formation

Applications are invited for the above position, to work with Drs Jonathan Sherratt (Warwick) and Philip Maini (Oxford). The position will be based at the University of Warwick, and is for 3 years, starting 1 January 1996. Salary: 14317-15986 UK pounds. The project involves the development and analysis of a partial differential equation model for scar formation, in collaboration with experimental research groups. The overall aim is to obtain mathematical predictions of wound quality as a function of possible scar-reduction treatments.

The successful applicant will have a PhD in mathematical biology or a related area, with experience of analytical and numerical study of partial differential equations. Applications, including a curriculum vitae and two letters of recommendation, should be sent to Dr Jonathan Sherratt, as soon as possible, and in any case no later than 15 November 1995.

A fuller advert is available by anonymous ftp to ftp.maths.warwick.ac.uk as jas@maths.warwick.ac.uk)
The Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.

Leeds

Two PostDoctoral Research Assistants

Astrophysical Fast Dynamo Action (Ref 51/48)

This position is funded by the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and the successful applicant will be working with Prof D.W. Hughes (of the University of Leeds) and Prof A.M. Soward (of the University of Exeter). The aim of the project is to study, principally numerically, high conductivity (fast) dynamo action in rotating convective flows of direct astrophysical relevance. In the presence of rapid rotation, and with no magnetic field, the convection is quasi-geostrophic and approximately two-dimensional (three non-zero velocity components but dependent only on the radial and azimuthal coordinates). As the thermal driving is increased the flow undergoes a sequence of bifurcations, eventually becoming chaotic. The first objective is to study the fast kinematic dynamo action for such a flow. The two-dimensionality will allow fairly high values of the magnetic Reynolds number to be attained. It will be of particular interest to see whether such a dynamo can generate a large-scale azimuthal component, as in observed on the Sun. The second objective of the proposal is to incorporate the effects of the Lorentz force, resulting from the induced magnetic field, in order to obtain a realistic hydromagnetic dynamo. One of the key points is to understand the mechanism by which the kinematic dynamo action is saturated.

Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics (Ref 51/49)

The second position is funded by the University of Leeds. Applications are welcome from researchers with interests in *any* branch of astrophysical fluid dynamics to work in the group led by Profs Hughes and S.A.E.G. Falle. Prof Hughes's interests are mainly in magnetohydrodynamics; in particular, dynamo theory, the instabilities of stellar magnetic fields and magnetoconvection. Prof. Falle's research is in the fluid dynamics of the interstellar medium (e.g. supernova, stellar winds and extra-galactic radio jets).

Contacts: Prof David Hughes (dwh@amsta.leeds.ac.uk), Prof S.A.E.G. Falle
Department of Applied Mathematics, The University, LEEDS. LS2 9JT

Univ of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Two Faculty Appointments

Applications are invited for two faculty appointments in mathematics, effective Fall l996. Candidates with research in computational partial differential equations and related areas are especially encouraged to apply for one position, earmarked to be in applied mathematics. For both positions rank and salary will depend on qualifications and budget considerations. Ph.D. in mathematics and exceptionally strong research record and commitment to excellent teaching required. At least 3 years experience beyond the Ph.D. preferred.

Send curriculum vitae, abstract of a current research program, and four letters of recommendation to Search Committee Chairman, Math. Dept., CB #3250 Phillips Hall, UNC at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599- 3250. EO/AA Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to identify themselves voluntarily. Completed applications received by respectively, November l, l995 for the earmarked position, and December l5, l995 for the second position, are assured of full consideration.

Source: Jane Hawkins (

University Of Michigan

Applied Mathematics Initiative

The krasny@math.lsa.umich.edu)

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uk-nonl@ucl.ac.uk 15 Sept. 1995