PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: Parallel Adaptive Multi-physics Simulations (AE0097) in London

PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: Parallel Adaptive Multi-physics Simulations (AE0097) in London

London Internship 36000 - 44000 £ / year (est.) On-site
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Conduct cutting-edge research in aeronautics and develop innovative simulation methods.
  • Company: Join a prestigious institution committed to equality and diversity.
  • Benefits: Receive full tuition coverage and a tax-free stipend of £23,805 annually.
  • Other info: Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and present findings at conferences.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in high-performance computing and multi-physics simulations.
  • Qualifications: Must have a First class honours degree in Aeronautical or Mechanical Engineering.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.

Start date: Between 1st August 2027 and 1st July 2028

Application deadline: 23:59 on 4th January 2027 (UK time)

Introduction: This research will be carried out within the framework of the REMODEL project that addresses the difficulty of generating and adapting high-quality meshes for complex engineering simulations on exascale and heterogeneous high-performance computing systems.

The PhD research will contribute to the development of:

  • Automatic adaptive mesh generation methods for multi-physics and time-dependent simulations.
  • Strategies for coupling multi-physics solvers with mesh adaptation in a parallel HPC environment.
  • Efficient algorithms in heterogeneous CPU–GPU and exascale computing architectures.
  • Integrated, high-fidelity simulation workflows for industrial applications.
  • Methods for sensitivity assessment of multi-physics simulations to geometric features and mesh resolution.

You will work with open-source and research tools developed within the Nektar++ research group. You will also gain experience applying your methods to realistic industrial demonstrators, and develop expertise in computational geometry, mesh generation, adaptive meshing, parallel algorithms, high-performance and exascale computing, and multi-physics simulations.

Professional development opportunities include:

  • Cross-institutional mentoring and collaboration with leading academic researchers and industrial partners.
  • Opportunities to present findings at conferences, workshops and seminars, and to publish in high-quality journals.
  • Experience in open-source software development, technical documentation, webinars, industrial demonstrations and public engagement.
  • Engagement in interdisciplinary collaboration and the translation of research into industrial applications.

Supervisors: Prof. Spencer Sherwin; Prof. Joaquim Peiro; Dr. Chris Cantwell

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: Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.

We are looking for a student with:

  • Good background knowledge on CFD/Meshing techniques;
  • Proficiency in software development using high-level programming languages, ideally in a HPC environment;
  • Creative approach to problem-solving;
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Contact: For more specific project information, email: Prof. Spencer Sherwin; Prof. Joaquim Peiro; or Dr Chris Cantwell. For admissions questions, please first read our Frequently Asked Questions. If your question has not been answered, please email the PhD Administrator (Admissions).

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: Parallel Adaptive Multi-physics Simulations (AE0097) 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.

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Contact Details:

Imperial College London Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: Parallel Adaptive Multi-physics Simulations (AE0097) 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: Parallel Adaptive Multi-physics Simulations (AE0097) in London

Automatic Adaptive Mesh Generation
Multi-Physics Simulations
Parallel Algorithms
High-Performance Computing (HPC)
Exascale Computing Architectures
Computational Geometry
Mesh Generation Techniques

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.