Propulsion technologies for next generation airliner testbeds

Cranfield University has secured a funded part in a multinational research programme into the design and operation of testbeds towards next generation airliners.  

This project will develop understanding of the powertrain for future blended wing body aircraft, mainly concentrating upon hydrogen propulsion. Working with colleagues in multiple countries across the processes of aircraft design and analysis, this will include working with aircraft design colleagues to bring together powertrain and airframe. This project would suit somebody with a professional or educational background in hydrogen chemistry, chemical engineering, or gas turbine design.  

The project aims to design a blended wing body aircraft subscale demonstrator aircraft with particular focus on the low-speed aerodynamics. The work will include vehicle conceptual design, preliminary design of the systems and structure, and how these aircraft will be operated and certified. The scale of the vehicle will be determined early in the project and be minimised to reduce costs while being sufficiency large to enable the validity of the experiments in informing a full-scale vehicle.

Research activities include:

• Close cooperation with project partners.
• Aircraft conceptual design and systems preliminary design, including propulsion specification and integration.
• Teamworking with other aircraft designers by providing aircraft design data and/or aerodynamic analysis.
• Conduct multi-disciplinary design optimisation by developing and deploying Cranfield University’s software tools and CAD.

Entry requirements

Candidates should have a 2:1 or better honours degree in a relevant subject such as aerospace engineering, propulsion engineering, aerospace systems engineering, or mechanical engineering with aeronautics. They should ideally have a demonstrated history of interest in aircraft design or operations. Postgraduate masters degree, or equivalent industry experience in a relevant subject would be highly favoured. The normal place of work and study will be the Cranfield campus in Bedfordshire.

Funding

Sponsored by the project funder, this studentship will provide a bursary for living expenses of £21,000pa (tax free) in addition to a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and project related expenses, including attending at least one relevant conference where the student will present their work.

How to apply

If you are eligible and would like to apply, please complete the online application form.

Apply now