The Aerospace Vehicle Architecture and Design Integration (AVADI) Group and Flight Dynamics Group in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bristol is a leading partner in the EU SimSAC project (Simulating Aircraft Stability And Control Characteristics for Use in Conceptual Design). This Specific Targeted Research Project (STREP) has recently been approved for funding by the European Commission 6th Framework Programme on Research, Technological Development and Demonstration.

A new PhD Studentship position is now available to join the team at Bristol and work within the international SimSAC consortium. The PhD will deal with handling qualities and stability and control assessment as well as development of a toolkit for flight control system design. The research objectives will focus on innovative design frameworks, applicable generically to systems displaying nonlinear behaviour; an important aspect will be a novel approach to iterative development of the flight control system ‘in parallel’ with the aerodynamic model in the early design stages. The framework will incorporate control law prototyping techniques, decision-making on physical architecture, reliability/failure modes and allocation of control amongst multiple effectors where applicable. The student will work under the guidance of Dr Mark Lowenberg and Dr Tom Richardson, who have extensive experience in the application of modern nonlinear dynamics theory to flight mechanics and control.

This is an opportunity to work in a truly international research environment dealing with multi-disciplinary design optimisation, simulation and multi-objective design tools. The successful candidate will have a good undergraduate-level knowledge of aircraft design, flight control system integration, flight mechanics and control. An enthusiasm for aircraft as well as some understanding of design prediction, sizing and optimisation methods is desirable.

The project began on 1st November 2006 and is scheduled to end 31st October 2009. The position is available with immediate effect. Full fees are covered for EU students and in addition a stipend will be paid to the successful candidate of £13,000 per annum adjusted in accordance with inflation. Those interested with inquiries may contact:

Dr Mark H. Lowenberg
Tel: +44 (0)117 92 89765
Email to: m.lowenberg@bristol.ac.uk

Very important: all applications need to go through the post-graduate admissions process. Access the following link for details. The closing date for an application is 1600 hrs, Friday, 28 February 2007. Suitable candidates will be formally asked to complete an application form, and then if eligible will be short-listed for a visit to the Department and interview. Travel expenses will be covered.