PhD Studentship: Breaking Design Silos with AI – A Knowledge-Centric Framework for Integrated Aerostructure Design University of Nottingham in United Kingdom

[Funding is sought from the University of Nottingham as part of a competitive process. This will cover home tuition fees and UKRI stipend for the successful candidate.]

This PhD studentship at the University of Nottingham offers a unique opportunity to join the Advanced Manufacturing Technology research group, renowned for its world-unique Omnifactory facility and cutting-edge manufacturing research. The project aims to break down technical silos in aerostructure design by leveraging artificial intelligence and knowledge-centric frameworks, focusing on aircraft wing design as a case study. The research will uncover and model cross-disciplinary connections between structural, aeroelastic, and manufacturing domains, addressing the challenges posed by tightly interconnected disciplines and disparate data models.

Advances in AI, including large language models and knowledge graphs, will be harnessed to bridge communication gaps between subject experts and capture complex semantic relationships, enabling system-level visibility and more efficient design solutions. The successful candidate will develop simulation models, data models, and algorithms to facilitate connected cross-disciplinary design and optimisation, laying the foundation for integrated and intelligent engineering workflows.

As a PhD student, you will collaborate with staff and students from the Advanced Manufacturing Technology research group and the wider Faculty of Engineering, gaining access to software packages, advanced robotics, manufacturing, assembly, and inspection facilities. The University of Nottingham provides a thriving postgraduate research environment, with dedicated study spaces, outstanding research facilities, and partnerships with leading industrial partners. Training is available through the Researcher Academy and specialised courses for engineering and architecture PGRs.

Eligibility is open to UK/home and international candidates. Applicants should hold a 1st or high 2:1 degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, or related scientific disciplines. Skills in numerical tools and programming (e.g., MATLAB, Python, C++) are desirable, and experience with engineering design, structural/aerodynamic/aeroelasticity modelling, or manufacturing/assembly process simulation is preferred.

Funding is sought from the University of Nottingham as part of a competitive process and will cover home tuition fees and UKRI stipend for the successful candidate. The application deadline is 9 March 2026, with the PhD start date in October 2026. For further information or to apply, contact Dr Sara Wang at [email protected] or visit the project webpage.

The University actively supports equality, diversity, and inclusion, encouraging applications from all sections of society. The Faculty of Engineering fosters a strong sense of community and research culture, working closely with the Postgraduate Engineering Society and PGR research group representatives to support and enhance the postgraduate research environment.