In collaboration with Rolls-Royce, this PhD aims to develop a multi-objective optimisation approach that enables trade-off between commercial gains, performance-oriented asset value creation and sustainability (specifically focusing on carbon) within the aerospace sector. This will involve developing a common currency that we can trade-off between cost, (e.g. money), availability (e.g. time), and sustainability (e.g. carbon footprint). The PhD will develop a quantitative measure of carbon footprint for a complex asset (e.g. aircraft engine). The optimisation algorithm to be built will be flexible to use in different stages of the life cycle, and for alternative types of assets.
Through-life Engineering Services (TES) is comprised of develop, prepare, utilise and retire phases for complex engineered assets (e.g. planes, ships, trains) with a focus on maximizing their availability, predictability and reliability at the lowest possible life-cycle cost (BSI PAS 280). However, often the role of sustainability gets limited attention, and moving forward it requires better consideration bearing in mind the ongoing commercial and performance targets. The existing literature on TES has mostly focused on service design and its impact on productivity, asset performance and profitability. TES employs a set of technologies and solutions to improve asset performance efficiently and moving forward there is a need to integrate sustainability related considerations. In some cases, there are conflicting relationships between cost, availability, and sustainability, which promotes the need for a consistent approach to trade-off between these drivers.
There are endless opportunities to consider sustainability in TES covering different phases of the life cycle. TES integrates manufacturing/services, engineering and technology and delivers customer value throughout the product life-cycle with new outcome-based business models. In contrast to the traditional research in product life-cycle sustainability, TES has the potential of providing robust sustainability in a more integrated and holistic manner. This robustness can be achieved by the inherent continuous feedback of experience in TES that informs the design of the next iteration or upgrade of the complex engineered asset and support assets.
TES has traditionally mostly focused on the economic impacts of inspection, monitoring, and MRO tasks. This PhD will enable the integration of environmental aspects (and potentially social) in to the decision making processes; e.g. estimation of the remaining sustainable life of components and designing enablers to assist in determining environmentally (and socially) friendly TES delivery. The aim of the PhD is to develop a multi-objective optimisation approach that enables trade-off between commercial gains, performance-oriented asset value creation and sustainability.
Cranfield University is wholly postgraduate, and is famous for its applied research in close collaboration with Indsutry. At Cranfield, the candidate will be based within the Manufacturing theme at the Centre for Digital Engineering and Manufacturing (CDEM). The Centre hosts cutting-edge simulation and visualisation facilities. The student will have access to high-end computers for simulating the complex nature of maintenance. There will be relevant visits to Rolls-Royce (as the Industrial Sponsor of the project) in particular but also various other organisations throughout the PhD to develop and demonstrate the research. This PhD is offering a fully funded PhD thanks to the EPSRC ICASE scheme, and Rolls-Royce.
The PhD is expected to an optimisation approach that involves developing a common currency in which we can trade-off between cost, (e.g. money), availability (e.g. time), and sustainability (e.g. carbon footprint). The PhD will develop a quantitative measure of carbon footprint in TES with a view to enabling the trade-off in the common currency. The optimisation algorithm to be built will be flexible to be used in different stages of the life cycle, and for alternative types of assets. In more detail the PhD will aim to answer the following questions:
- How can we quantify the carbon footprint in TES?
- What is a common currency that enables trade-off between cost, availability and sustainability?
- How can we optimise across cost, performance and sustainability in complex engineered assets?
- How can we provide efficient feedback to assets and processes to deliver optimised value?
What makes this PhD special?
- Fully funded PhD with extensive funding available for travel not only in the UK but also internationally; we also have an exciting consumables budget to conduct the research.
- Applied research, which brings together Rolls-Royce and Cranfield University to address significant and current challenges around sustainability in through-life engineering.
- We have allocated funding to enable training through internal and external courses, which will substantially enhance the PhD experience.
- Both Cranfield and Rolls-Royce are leading organisations in their fields, and the PhD will open up numerous career opportunities.
The student will gain from the experience in numerous ways, whether it be transferable skills in the technical area of optimisation, or soft skills including presentation skills, project management, and communication skills. There are also numerous employability opportunities that the PhD will offer whether it be in Industry or in Academia.
Entry requirements
We are inviting applicants with a First or upper Second Class degree equivalent qualification in an engineering background, or an alternative quantitative focused discipline.
Funding
This is a fully-funded opportunity.
This studentship is open to both UK and International applications. However, we are only permitted to offer a limited number of studentships to applicants from outside the UK.
Sponsored by EPSRC and Rolls-Royce, this studentship will provide a bursary of up to £18,000-£20,000 (tax free) plus fees* for four years.
Cranfield Doctoral Network
Research students at Cranfield benefit from being part of a dynamic, focused and professional study environment and all become valued members of the Cranfield Doctoral Network. This network brings together both research students and staff, providing a platform for our researchers to share ideas and collaborate in a multi-disciplinary environment. It aims to encourage an effective and vibrant research culture, founded upon the diversity of activities and knowledge. A tailored programme of seminars and events, alongside our Doctoral Researchers Core Development programme (transferable skills training), provide those studying a research degree with a wealth of social and networking opportunities.
How to apply
If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the online application form.
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