PhD Studentship: An Investigation into Future Composite Wing Constructions for Large Civil Aircraft

Application deadline: until filled

Start date: January 2024 (flexible)

Applications are invited for a Ph.D. studentship in the Departments of Aeronautics. The successful candidate will work with a dedicated team, funded by an Airbus-led Innovate UK / Aerospace Technology Institute grant (NextWing), and interacting closely with a consortium that includes key aerospace industries and academia. Within NextWing, our aim is to create processes and routines which allow the generation of SMART component models for wing box components.

The PhD project will involve research on the Finite element method, Fibre-reinforced composites and novel composite constructions. This PhD is an opportunity to work with world leading researchers and industry in these topics.

The post-holder will gain experience in:

• failure investigation and fractography of polymer composites and their components;
• the development and use of finite element and analytical modelling;
• the development and use of a variety of manufacturing methods (including 3D printing, laser cutting, water-jet cutting, laying-up for autoclave curing, etc) when creating prototypes;
• mechanical testing, characterisation and analysis (including Acoustic Scan, Acoustic Emission, X-Ray tomography, Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy).

In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to submit publications to refereed journals and to present their findings at major international conferences. 

Applicants should have a strong background in solid mechanics and fracture mechanics, and a knowledge of fibre reinforced polymer composites would be an advantage. The applicants should also have a proven aptitude for practical work and a genuine passion for research. Applications are invited from candidates who possess (or expect to gain) a first-class honours MEng or higher degree or equivalent in Aeronautics, Mechanical Engineering, Materials or related areas.

Imperial College is consistently ranked as one of top universities in the world and top 3 universities within the UK. In 2019/20 Imperial ranked 9th in the world in the QS and 10th in the world in the THE rankings. It has been ranked as the most innovative university in Europe.

Funding is available for UK citizens. The studentship is for 3.5 years and will provide full coverage of tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of approximately £17,285.

If you are interested in applying, we will be happy to address any initial informal enquiries you may have by contacting (Lorenzo Iannucci, l.iannucci@imperial.ac.uk; Silvestre Pinho, silvestre.pinho@imperial.ac.uk or Rafael Palacios, r.palacios@imperial.ac.uk).

For queries regarding the application process, please contact Lisa Kelly at l.kelly@imperial.ac.uk

Imperial College is committed to equality and valuing diversity. We are an Athena Silver SWAN Award winner and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

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