Postdoc in Experimental Fluid Dynamics

Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL

The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL is part of the ETH Domain. Approximately 600 people work on the sustainable use and protection of the environment and on the handling of natural hazards.

The Biodiversity and Conservation Biology research unit and its Environmental Fluid Dynamics group offers within the SNSF research project " Flow-structure interaction in pulsatile flow of non-Newtonian fluids ", for the duration of
** two to three years**, with start on
** June 1st, 2023** a position as a

PostDoc in experimental fluid dynamics / biomedical flow research 80-100% (f/m/d)

You will conduct experiments of blood flow in flexible pipes and aorta geometries using state of the art imaging and laser diagnostics. As a first step, you will investigate the impact flexible walls on the stability of pulsatile flow of polymer solutions. This will provide insights on the synchronisation time scales between flow and wall motion in a system where elastic energy can be stored 'externally' (walls) and 'internally' (polymers). As a second step, you will study the transition to turbulence in flexible aortas focusing on wall elasticity and rheology. These results will provide comprehensive evidence on the origin of disordered blood flow in realistic cardiovascular geometries. You will present results at international conferences and publish in scientific journals.

You have a PhD in engineering, physics or a similar field, with extensive experience in experimental fluid dynamics. A basic background in biomedical engineering is an asset. You are very motivated and strive to work independently and goal-oriented. You have excellent communication skills in English and like working in a team. You will be based in the Environmental Fluid Mechanics team with Dr. Markus Holzner with offices at WSL Birmensdorf and laboratory at ETH Hönggerberg.
- Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903 Birmensdorf