Research Fellow in Predictive Maintenance of Aircraft Systems

Fixed Term Contract until 31/03/2027

Full time starting salary in the range of £37,337 to £44,906 per annum.

We welcome applications from committed and skilled candidates to join our team to support and deliver to an industry funded project led by a major aircraft design company

About the Role

This post supports an industry-funded project led by a major aircraft design company. You will conduct research for Cranfield University’s work package on AI-Enhanced Digital Twins and a High-Level Reasoner Decision Support System for aircraft systems. Your role includes integrating diverse data sources (e.g. sensors, physics models), detecting failures, tracing system faults, and optimising sensors to enable reliable condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, and PHM throughout the aircraft lifecycle. You will also manage research tasks, coordinate meetings, produce deliverables, and collaborate with project partners—requiring strong organisational and interpersonal skills.

About You

You will hold a PhD (Research Fellow) or a Master's (or near completion) (Research Assistant) in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Software Engineering. Experience with aircraft systems, predictive maintenance, or digital twin technologies—using qualitative and quantitative methods—is essential. Strong analytical skills and the ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams are required.

Strong planning, organisational, and communication skills are needed to coordinate research and engage with academic and industry partners. Proficiency in MATLAB or Python, and familiarity with aircraft systems modelling, AI, and simulation tools are desirable. Commitment to quality research, emotional intelligence, and managing competing priorities will support your success.

About Us

The Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) Centre is a collaboration between industry and academia advancing diagnostic and prognostic technologies to transform service delivery. Launched in 2008 by Cranfield University with Boeing, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Meggitt, and Thales, it is based at Cranfield’s campus. Now globally recognised for shaping the field, the Centre drives innovation and played a key role in the DARTeC (Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre) proposal. Through DARTeC, it leads Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) research, specialising in UAV-robotics NDT, SHM sensor monitoring, and digital technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twins to optimise aircraft MRO.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply                                                        

For an informal discussion, contact Dr. Henrique Fernandes, at h.fernandes@cranfield.ac.uk.

For further details, email peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk  quoting reference 5082.

Application deadline: 18/06/2025.

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