Optimised electric power system topologies for more- and full-electric aircraft platforms

Project 14: Optimised electric power system topologies for more- and full-electric aircraft platforms (led by Dr. Serhiy Bozhko, Dr. Jason Atkin and Dr. Chris Hill)

Applications are invited to work with Prof Hervé Morvan and his colleagues in the Institute for Aerospace Technology (IAT) and the Faculty of Engineering on the above European funded project in the area of novel aircraft technology attached to propulsion, airframes and controls, ground operations, navigation and communication. Successful candidates will register for a 3-year PhD in the Faculty of Engineering within the Marie Curie COFUND Doctoral Programme INNOVATIVE which the IAT leads and coordinates. INNOVATIVE includes four research areas and 24 ESR positions to be recruited over 3 cohorts.

This project will deal with the investigation of highly innovative methods for design and optimisation of electrical power systems architectures for future more- and fully-electrical aircraft platforms. The proposed methods will be based on rigorous and formalised mathematical optimisation procedures to define optimal power system configurations depending on flight missions and conditions and to provide most efficient use of electrical power available form onboard sources. The latter will require the development of enhanced energy management and loads allocation methods. The ideal candidate should have excellent degree and experience in electrical engineering (power systems, power electronics, electric drives and controls), as well as solid mathematical background, in particular – in optimisation problems and methods.

This project will be conducted in close cooperation with industrial partners who are leaders in European aerospace industry (electrical engineering sector) such as Leonardo Aircraft Division, Dassault Aviation, Zodiac Electric Power Systems. Industrial partner will offer placement for up to 6 months during the project.

Candidates will be required to meet the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher eligibility criteria: (http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/wp/2014_2015/main/h2020-wp1415-msca_en.pdf, p40-41). In particular, they must not have resided in the UK for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the appointment.

This full-time post is available from January 2018 and is offered on a fixed-term 36 month contract.

Application Web Page: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/jobs/currentvacancies/ref/ENG1118