Careers
Updated August 2026
PhD opportunity: Imperial LIGHT Lab PhD opportunity
We are recruiting a PhD student, based across Imperial’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Grantham Institute.
The project will develop integrated approaches to managing energy, carbon, water and heat in future data centres. It will investigate sustainable cooling and waste-heat utilisation across conventional, desert, offshore/underwater and space-based scenarios, combining thermofluid and systems modelling, optimisation, sustainability assessment and targeted experimental validation.
Candidates from mechanical, energy, chemical, environmental or related engineering disciplines are encouraged to apply. Relevant experience may include thermofluids, numerical modelling, optimisation, life-cycle assessment or experimental thermal systems.
To express interest, please email elvis.cao@imperial.ac.uk with:
• Your CV
• A short paragraph outlining your motivation, relevant experience and fit with the project
• Contact info for two references