Fully Funded PhD in Propeller and Rotor Broadband Noise at the University of Bristol University of Bristol in United Kingdom

Fully funded PhD opportunity at the University of Bristol within the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Sound Futures. The project title is Propeller and Rotor Broadband Noise, and it is carried out with the Wind Tunnel Facility - Bristol in collaboration with industry partner ESDU-Accuris.

This PhD focuses on aeroacoustics, broadband noise, propeller noise, rotor noise, and the aerodynamic mechanisms that generate noise in propellers and rotorcraft. The research combines wind tunnel experiments at the National Aeroacoustic Wind Tunnel Facility with numerical simulations to study steady and unsteady flow features, flow-acoustic interactions, blade loading, wake dynamics, and turbulence-related noise generation. The project also explores predictive modelling, including surrogate modelling, reduced-order modelling, and data-driven approaches for noise reduction.

The successful candidate will join the 2026 cohort of the CDT, gaining access to specialist laboratories, bespoke training, and a diverse research community across the UK. The project offers an industrial placement with ESDU-ACCURIS and opportunities to present findings at major international conferences. It is especially relevant to students interested in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, acoustics, computational modelling, and urban air mobility / eVTOL systems.

Eligibility: a minimum 2.1 or higher in a relevant undergraduate degree or a relevant master's degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Audiology, Acoustics, Psychology, Environmental Science, or a related subject. International applicants must meet English language requirements (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent). UK home-fees applicants from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Funding: fully funded 4-year studentship with a UKRI-rate stipend, full tuition coverage, and research training support grant.

Deadline: 27 April 2026 at 10:00 BST.