Post-doc - magnetically and thermally driven turbulence in spheres : numerical simulation of two lab experiments.

In the first part, the candidate will design and run numerical simulations related to our DTS-Omega experiment (rapidly rotating, wide gap, spherical Couette setup filled with liquid sodium and with imposed magnetic field). He or she will study the rapidly rotating regime, possibly in conjunction with inversion or data assimilation techniques to shed as much light as possible on the experimental data. The primary interest is to understand interaction of turbulent fluctuations and magnetic field induction, in a rapidly rotating system relevant to planetary cores.

In the second part, numerical simulations related to ZoRo, (a forthcoming experiment of highly turbulent thermal convection in a rotating sphere) will be designed and performed. The goal is to investigate the formation of zonal winds from a deep convection forcing, and relate it to zonal winds of gaseous giant planets. Comparison of 3D simulations with quasi-geostrophic simulations could also bring greater understanding of this kind of highly non-linear systems.

A state-of-the-art, parallel 3D spherical code (xshells) will be provided to the candidate, as well as access to local and national high performance computers.

Funded for 2 years, starting Fall 2014, by ANR TuDy.