PhD Funded Studentship 2026 in Sustainable Aviation at University of Nottingham

A new fully funded PhD studentship in Sustainable Aviation – Designing Fuels for the Future has been announced for the 2026 academic session in the United Kingdom. The programme, offered in partnership with Airbus, focuses on pioneering research into sustainable fuel additives aimed at reducing aviation’s environmental impact.

About the Opportunity

The studentship will be hosted within the Mechanical and Aerospace Systems research group at the Faculty of Engineering, a team comprising more than 50 researchers, technicians, and academics. Candidates will collaborate across Mechanical, Aerospace & Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, with additional support from the Faculty of Science and established centres such as NET2Zero CDT and the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Resilient Chemistry.

This multidisciplinary project will employ computational, analytical, and experimental methods to investigate fuel additives and assess their mechanical, chemical, and environmental properties. The successful applicant will also gain exposure to advanced techniques such as machine learning, contributing to the aviation industry’s path to achieving net-zero emissions.

Eligible Candidate Profile

The programme seeks highly motivated and enthusiastic applicants with a strong academic background. Candidates should hold, or be expected to achieve, at least an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field. A first-class degree will be considered an advantage.

Applicants must demonstrate sound knowledge of chemical experimental techniques and an ability to work effectively within a research team. Experience in computational chemistry or analytical chemical engineering will be seen as beneficial.

Training and Industry Collaboration

The PhD student will spend part of their research period at Airbus in Bristol, receiving training and supervision from both academic and industry experts. In addition to theoretical and computational work, students will have opportunities to engage in practical fuel system design and testing.

Funding and Eligibility

The funded studentship provides coverage of tuition fees along with a tax-free stipend of £24,000 per year for four years. Due to funding restrictions, the award is open exclusively to UK (home fees) applicants.

Application Deadline

Applications for the PhD studentship in Sustainable Aviation at University of Nottingham must be submitted by Friday, 31 October 2025 here.