Open PhD positions at the Cyprus University of Technology

Recently, the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) has acquired funding from the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) of Cyprus (Research Program: RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURES / SMALL SCALE INFRASTRUCTURES) to establish the Cyprus Rheology and Fluidics Technology Centre (CRaFTC) through the collaboration of Specialized Partners and the Strengthening of existing Specialized Infrastructures. The new Center, headed by Dr. Efstathios Kaliviotis, will provide the industry and the national Research & Innovation ecosystem a state-of-the-art Complex Fluids Research facility. Through CRaFTC, important and complementary key specialties and infrastructures from two highest-level Cyprus Universities (CUT and University of Cyprus), one Centre of Excellence (CYENS), and oneIndustrial Partner (EMBIO Diagnostics) are combined to create a center accessible to the various sectors of the society. CRaFTC will include the necessary Complex Fluids Research tools, ranging from Basic and Advanced Rheological Characterization, Fluidics and Microfluidics Experimental Facilities and Equipment, to Theoretical and Computational Modelling and Advanced Data Processing Methods. Furthermore, the CRaFTC includes one Industrial Partner, with significant experience in previous FluidicsBased Smart Systems, serving as a direct link to the national and international industry, and providing valuable and crucial industrial knowledge and experience. The Biorheology Laboratory of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, headed by Dr. Efstathios Kaliviotis, and the Thermodynamics and Transport Phenomena Laboratory (T²PL) of the Department of Chemical Engineering, headed by Dr. Pavlos S. Stephanou, both constituent laboratories of the newly-established Center, are looking for two (2) PhD students to conduct research on the following topics:

1) One (1) position in the field: “Complex Fluids Rheology and Microfluidic flows”

Description: This PhD studentship focuses on the investigation of rheological properties of complex fluids and biofluids and their effects in microscale flows. Biofluids, liquid biomass, foods, pharmaceutical products, polymer solutions, suspensions, surfactants, gels, and other industrial fluids show complex rheological properties, which become of particular importance in determining the characteristics of the flow at the microscale. In this program, advanced rheological and structural characterization of various complex fluids will be performed, in order to elucidate the influence of their properties in microscale flows. State of the art rheometry and in-house microfluidic fabrication will be available, in combination with flow characterization techniques to investigate various aspects of the complex fluid flow problem.

Required Qualifications: Applicants must have an Undergraduate Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or in a closely related field, a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or in a closely related field, and preferably having completed an experimental Masters project in a relevant to the present study field. Experience in experimental fluid mechanics / rheology, microfluidics, and data processing is essential. Candidates without a Master qualification, but with a strong undergraduate degree and relevant experience in fluid mechanics / rheology / microfluidics projects, will be considered; in this case, Master modules of 60 ECTS should be taken and completed successfully as part of the PhD Program. Experience in experimental projects involving blood or biofluid handling and treatment is a significant advantage. The candidate should be able to work in an interdisciplinary team, collaborate with industrial partners, and have good oral and written communication skills in English. The candidates should provide a Cover Letter, and an English-written, one-page research proposal, which will be relevant to the theme of the project.

Research Coordinator: Efstathios Kaliviotis, Associate Professor, e.kaliviotis@cut.ac.cy

2) One (1) position on the following topic: “Modeling of shear-induced migration of Red blood cells”

Description: Red blood cells (RBCs) in physiological conditions are capable of deforming and aggregating. However, both deformation and aggregation are seldom considered together when modeling the rheological behavior of blood. Recently, we proposed a series of rheological models that have shown capable of making quantitative predictions against available experimental data. However, these models should be generalized to account for RBC migration effects and RBC–plasma interactions occurring in microvessel. In the present doctoral work, the candidate should derive a refined constitutive model via the use of either the Generalized Bracket or GENERIC formalisms of non-equilibrium thermodynamics (NET). Our starting point will be the shear-induced migration model proposed by Phillips et al. The attractive advantage of employing a NET formalism is that the resulting constitutive model is, by construction, consistent with the laws of thermodynamics. The constitutive model to be proposed will provide predictions for the rheological properties of these fluids (e.g., their viscosity), which will be compared against available experimental data. This doctoral position will be funded through the research project CRaFTC.

Required Qualifications: Successful candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree and should possess a postgraduate degree (Μaster’s level) from an accredited University in Chemical Engineering, or Theoretical/Computational Chemistry, Computational Materials Science, or Applied Computational Physics. Previous experience (e.g., during the preparation of a diploma or Master’s thesis) in the abovementioned research topic will be considered as an advantage.

Research Coordinator: Pavlos S. Stephanou, Assistant Professor, pavlos.stefanou@cut.ac.cy

Funding for the above positions can be available for 30 months – Earliest starting in January 2024. The monthly allowance will depend on the Candidate’s qualifications and Program of Study.

To apply, please visit this website: https://www.cut.ac.cy/studies/phd/PhD+vacant+positions/