Research Fellow in Airborne Acoustics

Full Time Fixed Term until 17/08/2029

A multidisciplinary team of researchers and industrial partners from the UK, Australia, and the USA is undertaking an exciting three-year funded research programme to develop a novel airborne sensing system for high-altitude atmospheric platforms.

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Fellow to join this collaborative project and contribute to the development of next-generation acoustic sensing technologies for real-time atmospheric mapping. The project addresses a challenging scientific and engineering problem: how can atmospheric phenomena such as thermals, turbulence, wind shear, and vertical air motion be detected and characterised using airborne acoustic sensing?

The research aims to develop a low Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) sensing system that combines acoustic excitation, advanced signal processing, atmospheric flow physics, and data-driven modelling to infer atmospheric conditions from weak and often noisy measurements. The resulting technology will provide onboard situational awareness for autonomous and high-altitude aircraft, enabling improved endurance, efficiency, and resilience in complex atmospheric environments.

The successful candidate will play a key role in the design, modelling, testing, and validation of innovative sensing technologies, working closely with academic and industrial partners. The role will involve a combination of laboratory experimentation, acoustic measurements, instrumentation development, signal processing, atmospheric flow characterisation, data analysis, and participation in field and flight-test activities.

This position is particularly suited to researchers who enjoy solving complex analytical problems, developing new sensing methodologies, extracting meaningful information from challenging noisy data, and combining theory, modelling, and experimentation to advance scientific understanding.

Essential Criteria

• PhD (or equivalent professional experience) in Acoustics, Aeroacoustics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Signal Processing, Applied Mathematics, or a related discipline.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, supported by a solid theoretical foundation.
• Strong background in acoustics engineering, sensing technologies, or related physical systems.
• Experience in designing, conducting, and analysing relevant experimental studies.
• Experience in analysing complex datasets and translating experimental observations into scientific or engineering insights.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaborative working skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and within multidisciplinary research teams.

Desirable Criteria

Experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Signal processing, statistical inference, or system identification.
• Acoustic sensing, wave propagation, and noise control.
• Fluid dynamics, turbulence, and atmospheric flow phenomena.
• Experimental acoustics, advanced measurement techniques, and instrumentation development.
• Data analysis, modelling, uncertainty quantification, or sensor fusion.
• Acoustic characteristics and noise generation mechanisms of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
• Development of sensing technologies for aerospace, environmental, or atmospheric applications.

We are particularly interested in candidates who demonstrate creativity in problem-solving, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to develop innovative research ideas. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to pioneering research at the intersection of acoustics, atmospheric science, sensing technologies, electronics, machine learning, and autonomous flight.

The anticipated start date is August 2026, although a later start date may be considered in exceptional circumstances.

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Bahareh Zaghari at bahareh.zaghari@soton.ac.uk

Further details:

• Job Description and Person Specification

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