At a Glance
- Tasks: Explore cutting-edge electric composites for aircraft and vehicles, shaping the future of energy storage.
- Company: Join a leading research team at Imperial College London, renowned for innovation in aeronautics.
- Benefits: Full tuition coverage and a tax-free stipend of £23,805 annually.
- Other info: Collaborate with top academics and industry partners on groundbreaking research.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of technology that will revolutionise transportation and energy efficiency.
- Qualifications: Must have a First class honours degree in Aeronautics or Mechanical Engineering.
The predicted salary is between 23805 - 23805 £ per year.
Start Date: Between 1 August 2027 and 1 July 2028
Application deadline: 23.59 on 4 January 2027 (UK time)
This PhD puts you at the forefront of structural power composites (SPCs) — a WEF Top 10 Emerging Technology of 2025 — materials that simultaneously store energy and carry load. SPC promise a step-change weight savings for electric aircraft, EVs and satellites. Transitioning from device- to component-level fabrication in a trustworthy fashion would give industry the first credible route from lab-scale to flight- or drive-relevant components, and the chance to help unveil an Electric Composites future set to shape everybody's lives.
Within EleComp, a five-year EPSRC Programme Grant spanning Imperial, Bristol and Durham, your computational focus will be building physics-informed surrogate models and process simulations within a Bayesian-optimisation loop. This loop jointly searches design and process parameters, using active learning to get maximum insight from a minimum number of costly physical builds.
You’ll trace the thread from manufacturing process to defects to performance — mechanical (stiffness, damage tolerance) and electrochemical (capacity, impedance, cycle life) — across routes from partners' established hand lay-up through to more adventurous AFP and continuous-fibre 3D printing. You’ll iterate continuously against mechanical/electrical testing and characterisation data: data you generate, and data partners at Bristol and Durham share, to keep your models grounded in reality. You’ll start on flat and near-flat coupons, where you can iterate fast. Then you’ll push into genuinely uncharted territory: curved and ultimately cylindrical geometry.
You’ll ask the question nobody has yet answered — where do flat-trained models hold, where do they break, and how little curved data do you actually need to adapt them? You’ll finish with a validated, geometry-transferable design-to-manufacture pipeline that’s never existed before.
If you want a PhD at the genuine cutting edge of where machine learning, composites manufacturing and energy storage intersect, this is it. You’ll be supervised by Dr Ajit Panesar and Prof. Emile Greenhalgh, working alongside the SPC and IDEA lab teams and, more widely, with leading academics (at Chalmers and KTH besides the core EleComp team) and industrial partners — helping to shape the Electric Composites future of tomorrow.
Duration: 3.5 years.
Funding: Full coverage of tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of £23,805 for Home, EU and International students.
Eligibility: Due to the competitive nature of our studentships, candidates will be expected to achieve/have achieved a First class honours MEng/MSci or higher degree (or international equivalent) in: Aeronautics or Mechanical Engineering.
Contact: For more specific project information, email: Dr. Ajit Panesar. For questions about the application process, please first read our Frequently Asked Questions.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: 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.
PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: Electric Composites (AE0093) in London employer: Imperial College London
Imperial College London is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation within the International Relations Office. Employees benefit from professional growth opportunities, a commitment to diversity, and the chance to engage in meaningful projects that have a global impact, all set in the heart of one of the world's leading academic institutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: Electric Composites (AE0093) in London
✨Connect with University Networks
Let’s leverage your university connections! Many universities have aerospace engineering societies or workshops where major companies often scout for talent. Give those events a go, and don’t hesitate to chat with guest lecturers or industry professionals — they might just know about upcoming internships!
✨Get Involved in Relevant Projects
Hands-on experience is key in aerospace engineering! Look for summer projects, competitions, or even university research roles that showcase your skills. The more you can demonstrate practical experience, the better your chances at landing that internship!
✨Show Off Your Passion for Aerospace
Join online communities focused on aerospace engineering, like forums or LinkedIn groups. Participate in discussions and share your projects or insights. This visibility can set you apart and get you noticed by recruiters looking for passionate interns like you!
✨Consider Local Aerospace Events
Keep an eye out for aerospace expos or job fairs in your area. These are excellent opportunities to network face-to-face with potential employers. Bring some copies of your CV, and don't forget to mention that you're eyeing an internship with companies like Imperial College London!
We think you need these skills to ace PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: Electric Composites (AE0093) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Relevant Skills:In aerospace engineering, it's key to highlight your technical skills upfront. Make sure to mention any design software you’ve used, like CATIA or SolidWorks, and detail any projects you’ve worked on, whether in university or personal endeavours. It shows you're ready to hit the ground running!
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Since this is an internship, we want to see your learning potential. Focus on relevant coursework, projects, and any hands-on experience in aerospace or engineering. Don't forget to include extracurricular activities like joining engineering clubs or competitions that can showcase your passion for the field!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Here’s your chance to tell your story! Explain why aerospace engineering excites you and what you hope to learn from Imperial College London. Be genuine about your motivation and don’t shy away from sharing specific goals you have for the internship — it helps us see your enthusiasm and how you could fit our team!
Include Academic Achievements:Your academic record can make a real difference, especially for an internship. Highlight any relevant courses you excelled in and include your grades, particularly in maths and physics. If you’ve participated in research or published any papers, be sure to mention them as well — it gives us an insight into your technical background!
How to prepare for a job interview at Imperial College London
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Fundamentals
Since we're diving into the world of aerospace engineering, make sure you're solid on the core concepts. Expect questions on aerodynamics, materials science, and propulsion systems. It’ll give you a great chance to showcase your knowledge and passion for the field!
✨Showcase Your Projects
As an intern, what they want to see is your potential and enthusiasm! Prepare a portfolio of relevant projects or coursework. Even if they’re just uni assignments, if you got into the nitty-gritty details, it shows you’ve got the skills we need to develop further.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Aerospace engineering often involves tackling complex problems, so be ready for some situational questions. You might be asked to solve a hypothetical engineering challenge on the spot, so think through your problem-solving process and be clear in your explanations.
✨Convey Your Learning Mindset
As this is an internship, they'll be looking for candidates who are eager to learn and grow. Be prepared to talk about what you want to achieve during your internship at Imperial College London. Show them that you’re keen to absorb knowledge from their expertise in the industry, and how those experiences will shape your career.
