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’s 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 methods for defining fuel systems suitable for the ultra-efficient engines that will enable net zero aviation by 2050. This project aims to deliver a novel methodology for designing and assessing highly integrated fuel systems for ultra-efficient propulsion systems fuelled by SAF. The assessment will be done in terms of performance, operation and operability, including prediction of critical phenomena such as water hammer. The methodology will be verified against industrial data regarding performance and operation.  

You’ll join a multidisciplinary team that values equity, diversity, and inclusion, gaining unique expertise in aerospace systems design and integration (airframe, engine, subsystems), system of systems optimization, multi-fidelity models development and validation. The research directly supports the Net Zero ambitions and contribute to the SWAG合集’s strategy of global competitiveness in aero-engine technologies. It also provides you with the opportunity to enhance your technical and innovation skills.

Developing aircraft-engine integrated fuel system designs, utilizing different fuels, fast and reliably reduces testing time and potentially allows the identification of topologies and technologies that can support current and future geared architectures. Within this context applying Model Based Systems Engineering principles for defining requirements and simulating fluid networks and dynamic phenomena for assessing different solutions is a necessity

The overall aim of this project is to improve the confidence in fuel system design process for ultra-efficient aero engines by developing and validating a design and simulation methodology. The research will include a combination of experimental and computational aspects and methods. In this context a novel methodology for designing and assessing highly integrated fuel systems for ultra-efficient propulsion systems fuelled by SAF is expected to be developed. The assessment will be done in terms of performance, operation and operability, including prediction of critical phenomena such as water hammer providing guidance on the design of future fuel systems. The methodology will be verified against industrial data and existing experience. 

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 contribute towards de-risking the development of future aero engines by delivering robust design tools and guidelines for highly integrated fuel systems utilizing bio and e-fuels, in accordance with Destination Zero. The development of a validated highly integrated design thread for engine-aircraft fuel system will reduce development timeframes, testing time and hence cost and will be a step towards simulation for certification.  

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

• A fully funded 4 year full-time PhD - £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 deep knowledge on: aerospace systems integration (airframe, engine, subsystems), system of systems optimization, multi-fidelity models development and validation and safety and certification requirements. The close collaboration with Rolls-Royce as the industrial partner will enhance the transferable skills of the student, such as technical communication. It is expected that industrial data will be used for model validation, building skills relevant to data handling and data analytics, which are highly relevant in aerospace today. Finally, the interdisciplinary nature of the project is expected to build a solid understanding of Model Based Systems Engineering principles (MBSE) to the student, an important digital engineering skill for the future. 

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.