PhD Studentship: Developing an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Based Acoustic Monitoring Integrating Energy Harvesting Sensing Nodes

Applications are invited for an employed Doctoral Candidate to be funded by the Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Learning Network for Decentralized critical Infrastructure Asset Monitoring and coNDition assessment (DIAMOND), a stimulating, high-level European Doctoral programme including 16 PhD students trained in several European countries.

Note that this PhD will be awarded by Loughborough University, but the Doctoral Candidate will be predominantly based at Microflown AVISA in the Netherlands. Visits to Loughborough University are expected as part of the research activities and PhD progression requirements. 

In this project, UAVs will be significantly improved for monitoring, by design enhancement and assimilation of edge solutions in order to deliver the next generation of inspection and maintenance. A novel Twin Dagger (TD) approach will enable prolonged use in time-sensitive applications, particularly for deployment in autonomous, power-hungry UAVs for critical rescue missions. A combination of different energy harvesters will be used to power up the acoustic sensor elements while UAV is flying. This project will provide a novel self-powered, robust, weatherproof and efficient acoustic monitoring platform for UAVs capable of operating in challenging environmental conditions and for long duration of time, which removes one of the critical limiting factors for UAV based monitoring systems, which is limited power. Limited payload for UAVs is a crucial factor that determines the UAV's purpose and its performance, such as flight time and stability. By providing self-powered acoustic sensor elements for flying UAVs, we are taking a big and necessary step toward revolutionizing the UAV based acoustic monitoring technology.

Entry requirements:

A minimum of an upper-class honours degree (2:1) or overseas equivalent in Engineering or Physics, or equivalent relevant industrial experience.

Applicants must fulfil the MSCA basic requirements: 

• The successful candidate must not have already obtained a PhD. Candidates who already have a PhD are not eligible to apply.
• Candidates must not have resided in the Netherlands for more than 12-months in the three years immediately before the appointment.
• The language of MSCA is English. Candidates must have evidenced proficiency in English to meet Loughborough University requirements. Candidates must demonstrate that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficiently high for them to derive the full benefit from the network training. 

Further details on eligibility criteria can be found on here Doctoral Networks - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions 

English language requirements:

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Funding information:

Contributions for Recruited Researchers over 36 months:

• Living Allowance: €161,105.76
• Mobility Allowance: €25,560
• Family Allowance: (where relevant) €17,820

This position and related financial contributions is subject to the commencement of the project and agreement signed. Funding is administered by Microflown AVISA. PhD tuition fees will also be covered as part of the funding package. 

How to apply:

All applications should be made online via the above 'Apply' button. Under Campus, please select *Loughborough* and select Programme *Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering*. Please quote the advertised reference number ‘SF-ST-2026’ in your application.

Applications must include a personal statement, up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV), details of two referees (one from your highest degree qualification), certified certificates and transcripts for all completed degree programmes, and a reference to the project ‘SF-ST-2026’. Submission of a research proposal is not essential but may strengthen your application.

Incomplete applications received after the closing date may not be considered for interview.

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