PhD Studentship: Improved Understanding of Transonic Flutter for Highspeed Aircraft

Project title: Improved Understanding of Transonic Flutter for Highspeed Aircraft  

Supervisory Team: Prof Andrea Da Ronch

Project description:

Are you excited to develop innovative solutions to revolutionize the development of high-speed aircraft?

Do you want to work in an environment that encourages you to guide your own career through exposure to a diverse set of novel, open-ended problems working in a multidisciplinary team?

If so, then we are looking for someone like you to join our team as a Ph.D. student at the University of Southampton. We need driven, creative thinkers to help engineer solutions to current outstanding challenges in aircraft development.

Applications are invited for a Ph.D. studentship in nonlinear aeroelasticity, with a specific focus on transonic aeroelastic flutter. This exciting project will explore flutter at transonic speeds and high angles of attack where there is evidence of subcritical limit cycle oscillations (LCO). You will work with the Benchmark Supercritical Wing (BSCW) model, tested at NASA's LaRC Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. Your research will involve developing advanced computational methods that combine machine learning with physics-based models to analyze aeroelastic instabilities and enhance solution accuracy and speed. This project has the potential to transform high-speed aircraft performance and safety in the transonic regime. Additionally, you will collaborate closely with top-tier institutions like ETH Zurich and ZHAW University in Switzerland, work with global aerospace organizations, and participate in the AIAA Aeroelastic Prediction Workshop (AePW4).

Applications are invited from candidates with (or who are expected to gain) a first-class honours degree or equivalent in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics. Previous experience with NASTRAN, CFD software, and machine-learning libraries will be beneficial. The studentship is for 4 years and will provide full coverage of tuition fees, a generous travel budget, and an enhanced annual tax-free stipend.

If you have a strong background, and you’re eager to apply cutting-edge computational tools to real-world challenges, we want to hear from you! This is your chance to join a world-class team and contribute to innovations that will shape the future of aerospace.

Apply now and take the next step in your research journey!

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Prof Andrea Da Ronch, Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Research Group, Email: a.da-ronch@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 4787.

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Closing date: 31 December 2024  Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.

Funding: We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students, including Bursaries and Scholarships.  For more information please visit PhD Scholarships | Doctoral College | University of Southampton  Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

How To Apply

Apply online:  Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk) Select programme type (Research), 2025/26, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, next page select “PhD Engineering & Environment (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Andrea Da Ronch

Applications should include:

Research Proposal

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

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