Biography
Dr. Walker studied automotive (mechanical) engineering to undergraduate level at the University of Leeds, graduating in 2007. After a short period as a freelance motorsport engineer, working across Formula 4, 3 and 2, the world endurance championship and British touring cars he returned to academia for a PhD in aeronautical engineering. He completed this in 2013, after a program in rotordynamic faults and condition monitoring with Rolls Royce and Cranfield University. Between 2013 and 2022 he worked with the Mercedes AMG Formula 1 team, winning a record 8 consecutive world constructors’ championships.
In addition to car design and operation Ryan consulted for a variety of projects, ranging from road cars to Americas cup yachts. After leaving his role as a senior systems engineer, he has taken up a position as a departmental lecturer. He currently leads the Oxford University Formula Student team, whilst also pursuing his research interests in automotive systems, advanced thermofluids and condition monitoring.
Research Interests
- Automotive systems
- Thermofluids
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
- Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH)
- Advanced heat exchanger technologies
- Nanofluids
- Condition Monitoring
- Diagnostics & Prognostics
- AI & Classification
Prospective postgraduate students are very welcome to contact me regarding DPhil opportunities within engineering science. I am especially interested in students with a desire to work in thermofluids - particularly for transport applications – or those with motorsport-linked interests. Prospective projects cover theoretical and experimental areas, working on advanced coolants and heat exchanger technologies for high performance applications (motorsport, aerospace etc). Those with a broader interest in motorsport themed research are also welcome to get in touch. Please contact me by email in the first instance.
