PhD Studentship: Reporting what pilots can see: a collaborative system for sharing contrail observations across airlines and air traffic management

Supervisors: Professor Marc Stettler, Dr Sebastian Eastham

Start date: October 2027

Application deadline: 4 January 2027

Introduction:

The Brahmal Institute invites applications for its October 2027 Doctoral Programme in Sustainable Aviation (DPSA). Under the 2027 strategic theme “sustainability across stakeholders”, the cohort will undertake interdisciplinary research addressing aviation sustainability from a systems perspective, recognising the interconnected roles of airports, airlines, air traffic management, aircraft and passengers. Alongside their individual projects, students will benefit from shared learning, specialist training, networking and outreach, fostering collaboration to drive system-wide change towards more sustainable aviation.

Project overview:

Contrail avoidance is one of aviation’s most promising near-term climate interventions, but wider adoption depends on flight crew engagement and reliable feedback on contrail formation. While some airlines collect pilot observations, reporting remains fragmented and unstandardised. This project will design and evaluate a collaborative system for sharing contrail observations across airlines and air navigation service providers, combining pilot input, aircraft and camera data, and governance frameworks to improve forecasting, verification and operational decision-making.

General Information:

• Duration: 3.5 years
• Funding: Full coverage of tuition fees. a generous travel budget, and an annual tax-free stipend of £23,805.

Eligibility:

• Having obtained or expect to obtain a 1st class honours Master’s (or higher) degree in Aerospace Engineering or allied disciplines such as Computational Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics.
• Ability to develop and apply new concepts while prioritising work in response to deadlines.
• Creative approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision.
• Excellent background in numerical methods, and scientific computing.
• Excellent verbal and written technical communication skills and the ability to write clearly and succinctly for publication
• Demonstrated understanding of and passion for sustainability.
• We are accepting applications from both Home and International students

Imperial is committed to equality and valuing diversity. We are an Athena SWAN Silver Award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Disability Confident Employer and are working in partnership with GIRES to promote respect for trans people.

How to apply:

• Submit your application at: Application process | Study | Imperial College London. You will need to include the reference (BI0004) and address your application to The Brahmal Vasudevan Institute. When making your application, please type ‘Aeronautics Research (PhD)’ into the programme search bar.
• When applying, please use "Brahmal Institute" as the group.
• In lieu of a research statement, attach a one-page (A4) letter of interest to your application that contains the following information:
  • Answers to the following two questions (maximum 200 words each):
    • What steps have you taken, and what future ones will you pursue, to become a leader in sustainability?
    • Why does your background and experience make you a good fit for the Doctoral Programme in Sustainable Aviation (DPSA)?

Further Information: To learn more about Imperial College, please go to http://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg.

For further inquiries, contact us at brahmal-institute@imperial.ac.uk

Advert information