Advice for PhD Position Interview

H0T_S0UP · August 3, 2015, 11:16

I have an interview with three professors at a near by university for a PhD position in CFD. All three have slightly different interests but it will most likely be in ocean/atmospheric modeling and alternative energy. One professor in particular focuses on meshless methods (such a SPH) which is a topic I am really interested in researching.

In a nutshell, does anyone have advice for this interview coming up this Thursday? Other than bringing my resume and reading some of their papers, I cant think of much else.

Alex C. · August 3, 2015, 13:29

Think on anything from a past project that might be of interest to them while helping them to understand what you have done. You might be able to bring an 'artifact' of that project. Depending on what the project was, it could be a small scale model, a CAD render, some interesting plot from a previously made numerical analysis or anything that can look at or touch.

H0T_S0UP · August 3, 2015, 13:54

Good idea, like I said in another thread most of my experience is in experimental fluid mechanics. I don't have any special numerical projects under my belt that I saved but I did a pretty big research report on alternative energy and lead a UAV design team that had some pretty innovative accomplishments. Do you think this will be a problem?

Alex C. · August 3, 2015, 14:17

Experience in experimental fluid dynamics is great. Both CFD and experimental shares the idea that you need to create a configuration in which you are able to get the desired measurement as accurately and reliably as possible.

If have pictures of bench test you have made, bring them with you. If you have an opportunity to talk about this project, you will be able to show them. Having a visual support will grab their attention. You can explain why you have chosen this specific bench test setup for the measurement you were looking at. This will be a good demonstration of one of your skills, and also shows that you had prepared yourself for this meeting.

H0T_S0UP · August 3, 2015, 14:40

Great. I have a very nice presentation for the project. I did some numerical worth (using XFOIL) to estimate the airfoil performance, then followed it with wind tunnel testing. The airfoil was pretty special in that it retained a high Clmax (comparable to a Selig Airfoil) but reduced the moment coefficient by about 25%.

August 3, 2015, 11:16	Advice for PhD Position Interview	#1
H0T_S0UP Member Alex Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 54 Rep Power: 12	I have an interview with three professors at a near by university for a PhD position in CFD. All three have slightly different interests but it will most likely be in ocean/atmospheric modeling and alternative energy. One professor in particular focuses on meshless methods (such a SPH) which is a topic I am really interested in researching. In a nutshell, does anyone have advice for this interview coming up this Thursday? Other than bringing my resume and reading some of their papers, I cant think of much else.

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August 3, 2015, 13:29		#2
Alex C. Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 55 Rep Power: 12	Think on anything from a past project that might be of interest to them while helping them to understand what you have done. You might be able to bring an 'artifact' of that project. Depending on what the project was, it could be a small scale model, a CAD render, some interesting plot from a previously made numerical analysis or anything that can look at or touch.

August 3, 2015, 13:54		#3
H0T_S0UP Member Alex Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 54 Rep Power: 12	Good idea, like I said in another thread most of my experience is in experimental fluid mechanics. I don't have any special numerical projects under my belt that I saved but I did a pretty big research report on alternative energy and lead a UAV design team that had some pretty innovative accomplishments. Do you think this will be a problem?

August 3, 2015, 14:17		#4
Alex C. Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 55 Rep Power: 12	Experience in experimental fluid dynamics is great. Both CFD and experimental shares the idea that you need to create a configuration in which you are able to get the desired measurement as accurately and reliably as possible. If have pictures of bench test you have made, bring them with you. If you have an opportunity to talk about this project, you will be able to show them. Having a visual support will grab their attention. You can explain why you have chosen this specific bench test setup for the measurement you were looking at. This will be a good demonstration of one of your skills, and also shows that you had prepared yourself for this meeting.

August 3, 2015, 14:40		#5
H0T_S0UP Member Alex Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 54 Rep Power: 12	Great. I have a very nice presentation for the project. I did some numerical worth (using XFOIL) to estimate the airfoil performance, then followed it with wind tunnel testing. The airfoil was pretty special in that it retained a high Clmax (comparable to a Selig Airfoil) but reduced the moment coefficient by about 25%.