Opportunities for Graduate Studies related to Fluid Mechanics, Physics, 
Atmospheric Physics.

Type of positions: doctoral student (for applicants with master degree), direct-
doctoral program (for bachelor degree holder), or possibly master student. 
(Postdocs position also available)

Note! Except for postdoc positions, all prospective students are required to pass 
a standard mandarin language exam (HSK level-5, required by the Chinese 
government).

Research area: Experimental, computational or theoretical physics/fluid mechanics 
related to turbulent flows, droplet/particle interaction with turbulence, 
microphysics of turbulent atmospheric cloud.

Brief introduction: Fluid turbulence is often quoted as the last unsolved problem 
in classical physics, a statement usually associated with R.P. Feynman (Nobel 
prize in Physics). Turbulent flows and interaction between turbulence and 
particle/droplets are at the heart of many processes in nature such as in the 
atmosphere (clouds, pollutant motion, weather-climate feedback etc.) and many 
engineering processes such as inside combustion engines, chemical and food 
processing, aircraft flights etc. Fundamental understanding of these subject is 
challenging and represents the forefront of scientific inquiry, owing to the non-
linear and complex nature of these problems. Our lab focuses on fundamental 
studies of turbulence and particle-turbulence interaction (with emphasis in either 
atmospheric or engineering processes) using cutting-edge experimental and/or 
computational methods and theoretical considerations. Sample projects: Experiment 
of droplet/particle motion and collisions in turbulence chamber via cutting-edge 
observation method or numerical simulation; direct numerical simulation and 
fundamental analysis of turbulent flows; designing new experimental tools or 
techniques to observe particle/droplet dynamics in atmospheric clouds; designing 
and/or conducting wind-tunnel experiments to observe pollution dispersion 
turbulent environments; develop A.I. drone for long-time deep-sea exploration, 
Machine learning simulation of turbulence etc. Exact project to be designed based 
on interest/ability 
of candidates.

About the institution: Sun Yat-Sen University is among the top-ten universities in 
China and is included in the ambitious national initiative by the Chinese 
Government to create a rank of “first class” universities by international 
standard. The position will be at the School of Atmospheric Science in the 
beautiful coastal Zhuhai campus. The School is a focal point of the current phase 
of development of SYSU and thus continuously receives generous investments. The 
city of Zhuhai, next to Macau and Hong Kong, is a top tourist destination in China 
thanks to its coastline and a “balanced” development.

About the research advisor: Ewe-Wei Saw, Malaysian citizen, Thousand-Young Talent 
professor at the School of Atmospheric Science, Sun Yat-Sen University (Zhuhai), 
obtained his PhD. in Physics from Michigan Tech. University (USA). He had previous 
worked at international research institutes such as Cornell University in the USA, 
Max Planck Institute in Germany and Commission of Atomic Energy (CEA), 
Observatoire de La Cote d’Azur in France (candidates may have possibility to 
collaborate with or further their career at these or other institutes). Dr. Saw’s 
research interest pertains to Fluid Dynamics of Turbulent Flows, Droplet/particle 
Dynamics in Turbulent Flows and Cloud Microphysics. During the years in Europe, 
Dr. Saw has extensive experience guiding and working with graduate students and 
postdocs. He has published research articles in respected scientific journals such 
as Nature-communications, Physical Review Letters, BAMS etc. Dr. Saw is a fluent 
speaker of English and Mandarin (among other) languages and have a flexible 
working style influenced by both European/American and Asian characteristics.

Requirements:
- Except for postdoc positions, all prospective students are required to pass a 
standard mandarin language exam (required by the Chinese government).

- Candidate’s background: Physics, Mechanics/mechanical engineering, Atmospheric 
science, Computational Science/engineering, or related field. Candidate with 
strong background in experimental, engineering work, programming (e.g. python, 
Fortran)  are encouraged to apply. Candidates without closely relevant background 
but could demonstrate strong interest or strong academic background or potential 
will also be seriously considered.

- Successful candidates should be a responsible, self-motivated person with keen 
interest in fundamental scientific research. Candidates should have decent 
communication and writing skills in English.

- For computationally inclined applicants, prior experience with numerical 
simulations (DNS, LES, lattice Boltzmann) of turbulence and/or parallel 
computation would be helpful.
Benefits:

- Standard remuneration for PhD students：full tuition + on campus hostel + 
allowance about RMB 1000--1200/month + possible additional allowance (depends on 
research funding situation).. For MS: full tuition + on campus hostel + allowance 
of about RMB 500--600/month + possible additional allowance (depends on research 
funding situation).. 

Contacts: For enquiries and to apply, please used the website's tool or email (in 
English or Mandarin) to zhoux288##mail.sysu.edu.cn (change ## to @, [dot] to "." 
).
Deadline: continuously hiring.