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.

In collaboration with Rolls-Royce, this project will use both experimental and computational aspects to explore the aerodynamic design space for coupled intake/fan configurations that are required to deliver more efficient propulsion systems. You’ll join the wider CDT multidisciplinary cohort that values equity, diversity, and inclusion, while gaining expertise in aero-engine aerodynamics, analysis of advanced experimental data, intake design, and computational methods. The research will directly support the Net Zero ambitions and contribute to the SWAG合集’s strategy of global competitiveness in aero-engine technologies. It will also provide a journey to develop your technical and innovation expertise, build a wider network across industry, academia and government, and provide notable opportunities to advance your leadership capabilities.

Advances in aero-engine technologies are expected to play a key role in reducing aviation emissions as part of the NetZero targets. Within that context, advances in experimental and computational aerodynamics will continue to be an important aspect including the improvement of fundamental understanding of complex flow physics as well as advancing aerodynamic methods for industrial design.

The overall aim of this project is to improve the confidence in computational methods that are used for the aerodynamic design and analysis of coupled intake/fan configurations for future propulsion systems. The research will include a combination of experimental and computational aspects and methods. The experimental work will focus on the analysis of a unique, state of the art dataset. The computational studies will use advanced unsteady computational fluid dynamic methods for the analysis of coupled intake/fan configurations in crosswind and high-incidence conditions. The research will adopt these methods to validate the computational tools, explore the intake flow distortion, and provide guidance on the design of future intake/fan configurations.

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 researcher will be within the Centre for Propulsion and Thermal Power Engineering which has considerable expertise and facilities in the area of propulsion system aerodynamics. The industrial sponsor, Rolls-Royce, is committed to net zero aviation by 2050 and this project aligns with the strategic interests in developing ultra-efficient turbofans along with advancing propulsion integration and aerodynamic technologies.

This project will help to de-risking the design of coupled intake/fan propulsion systems which are expected to be a key requirement for compact intake systems for future turbofans. Ultimately the aim is to develop more compact powerplants with reduced fuel burn. It will improve confidence in advanced aerodynamic design methods and thereby benefit overall propulsion system design and validation timescale. It will also develop a roadmap for the downstream impact of the work such as informing industry standards for aero engine operability.

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 considerable, world-leading expertise in aero-engine aerodynamics. The project is aligned with the acknowledged skills development needs in the areas of aircraft/propulsion integration, aerodynamics, modelling, software development, research testing and development. The student will also benefit from the broader cohort-based training as part of the CDT and the close collaboration with Rolls-Royce in aerothermal technologies. The collaboration with Rolls-Royce will also provide experience in the areas of technology transfer and strategic technology development road-mapping. Through this research and collaborations, the student will develop leadership skills and experiences which will prepare them to take a leading role in future aviation and aerospace innovation.

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.