Research Fellow in Climate-Optimised Aircraft Design

Full Time Fixed Term (24 months)

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Aircraft contrails and contrail cirrus account for more than half of the climate forcing from aircraft operations to date. Radically different airframe and propulsion concepts have been developed as a means to reduce CO₂ emission, but the impact of the airframe and propulsion design on contrail formation has not been part of the design process.

In this project, building on our expertise in aircraft conceptual design, established design optimisation methods will be extended in order to minimise overall climate impact (both CO₂ and non-CO₂ contributions). It includes integration of contrail assessment methods into our aircraft design and optimisation framework, and apply it to design optimisation of a few different aircraft with novel configurations and energy networks, previously designed by us.

We are seeking a person with a PhD (or close to obtain the degree) in aerospace engineering, and extensive experience in aircraft design, multidisciplinary optimisation and Python programming.

You will join a leading Engineering Faculty with an excellent record of collaborative research with industry and academic institutions in the UK and abroad. In September 2013 an Athena SWAN Bronze award was received by the School of Engineering in recognition of our continued commitment to improving equality for women in science and engineering. 

The Faculty offers exceptional research facilities in the areas of fluids, structures and their interactions, including a new world-class fluid dynamics facilities complex in the Boldrewood Engineering Campus, complete with a 138m towing tank.  

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact:

Prof. Ali Elham, a.elham@soton.ac.uk, +44 (0) 238059 6044.

Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification.  The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD.   Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given. 

At the University of Southampton, we value diversity and equality.  The University recognises that employees may wish to have working patterns that fit with their caring responsibilities or work-life balance. Due consideration will also be given to applicants who have had career breaks for reasons including maternity, paternity or adoption leave, disability or illness.  Both the University of Southampton and Chemistry are proud to hold Athena Swan Silver Awards.

Further details:

Apply by 11.59 pm GMT on the closing date.

For assistance contact Recruitment on +44(0)2380 592750 or recruitment@soton.ac.uk quoting the job number.

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