SWAG合集

Offering fully funded, multidisciplinary PhD research projects across areas such as:

• Zero Emission Technologies.
• Ultra Efficient Aircraft, Propulsion, Aerodynamics, Structures and Systems.
• Aerospace Materials, Manufacturing, and Life Cycle Analysis.
• Green Aviation Operations and Infrastructure.
• Aviation Environmental, Commercialisation & Socio-Economic Aspects.

The CDT in Net Zero Aviation is the world鈥檚 first Centre of Excellence for Net Zero Aviation Education, Training & Research, delivering impactful industrial and academic partnerships, future-proof skills, innovation, and leadership to achieve Net Zero Aviation by 2050. 

This exciting project, in collaboration with Rolls-Royce, will develop innovative coatings to safely contain hydrogen in critical aerospace materials through experimental and computational modelling work. You鈥檒l join a pioneering multidisciplinary team that values equity, diversity, and inclusion, gaining unique expertise in aerospace materials, hydrogen technologies, and sustainable aviation. Your research will directly support the SWAG合集's ambition to lead global decarbonisation efforts, shaping your future as a skilled innovator and inclusive leader in sustainable aerospace technologies. 

Hydrogen-powered flight is set to revolutionise aviation, offering a sustainable path toward achieving Net Zero by 2050, but its implementation is hindered by critical materials challenges. Hydrogen's ability to permeate materials creates safety, durability, and reliability challenges, restricting wider adoption. Tackling these barriers is urgently needed and represents an exciting frontier in aerospace materials science, essential to making zero-emission aviation a reality. 

This research aims to develop advanced Hydrogen Permeation Barrier (HPB) coatings to protect aerospace alloys against hydrogen permeation and embrittlement. Using industrially scalable surface engineering methods and state-of-the-art permeation analysis techniques, the project will optimize coatings for alloys such as steel, aluminium, titanium, and nickel. The project will use a combination of experimental testing and computational modelling (Finite Element Analysis) to create solutions that accelerate the safe deployment of hydrogen aviation technologies. 

This position is part of the CDT in Net Zero Aviation, which offers a modular, cohort-based training programme with emphasis on innovation and impact, collaborative working and learning, continuous development, active engagement with partners and stakeholders and inclusion of student-led activities. You will be part of an annual cohort and will receive training at different universities and industrial partners providing world-class facilities in a supportive, innovative, inclusive and interactive learning environment.  

Based at SWAG合集, a global leader in aerospace research, the project benefits from world-class experimental facilities in hydrogen testing and expertise in materials science and hydrogen technologies. The industrial sponsor, Rolls-Royce, is committed to net zero aviation by 2050 and is pioneering hydrogen propulsion systems through their Hydrogen Demonstrator program. This partnership provides a unique industrial environment, ensuring that research outcomes directly align with future aviation applications. 

This project will deliver practical solutions enabling safe and efficient hydrogen storage and transportation in aerospace components, directly contributing to the SWAG合集鈥檚 Jet Zero and Net Zero targets. It will accelerate the adoption of hydrogen aviation technologies by offering cost-effective solutions that improve material reliability and safety. Ultimately, this work will foster material innovation and equip future leaders with essential skills for the transition to sustainable aviation. 

While working on this exciting research project, you will be provided with:

• A fully funded 4 year full-time PhD - 拢24,000 tax-free stipend per year.
• Attendance/presentations to international and national conferences with expenses fully covered.
• Membership of the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre at SWAG合集. Cohort and individual modular training covering technical, research, professional and personal development.
• Minimum of 3 months fully funded industrial placement with Rolls-Royce.
• Industrial supervision/mentorship scheme.
• Access to 40 industrial, government & research partners from the wider aviation sector.

Through this project, the student will gain highly sought-after expertise in hydrogen fuel technologies, aerospace materials, and advanced coating development鈥攌ey areas essential for future aviation leaders. Collaborating closely with Rolls-Royce and multidisciplinary teams across the CDT's partner universities, the student will benefit from cohort-based modular training, extensive industrial engagement, and access to world-class facilities, enhancing their skills in materials characterisation, computational modelling, and experimental testing. These experiences will position the graduate as an innovator, ready to collaboratively lead and shape the rapidly evolving field of sustainable aviation. Graduates of the CDT in Net Zero Aviation will emerge with a unique interdisciplinary combination of technical and professional skills, a deep understanding of the broader aviation ecosystem, and a sustainability-driven mindset. This comprehensive experience ensures graduates are prepared to lead and accelerate the decarbonisation of aviation from diverse roles across industry, academia, government, and policy. 

Graduates of the CDT in Net Zero Aviation will be equipped with a unique interdisciplinary combination of technical and professional skills, gained through extensive cohort-based training and cross-university collaborations. By engaging with diverse academic and industry partners across Cranfield, Strathclyde, and Cardiff Universities, and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the wider aviation ecosystem. This holistic experience ensures graduates are prepared to lead and accelerate aviation decarbonisation efforts from various roles in industry, academia, government, and policy.

The interview process is composed of two interviews. Following a first introductory interview (20min), a second online (or face to face if preferred) interview will be offered. In this second interview, candidates will be asked to give a 15-minute presentation on why they would like to become members of the CDT in Net Zero Aviation and how their skills and experience align with the research and training programme, followed by questions from the interview panel.