Fully Funded PhD Studentships in Space Survivability, AI/ML, and Autonomous Resilient Space Systems at Imperial College London Imperial College London in United Kingdom

Imperial College London is still recruiting for 2 fully funded PhD studentships in the Dyson School of Design Engineering, starting in October 2026. The projects are sponsored by EPSRC and Dstl and focus on space survivability, strategic engineering, AI/ML, autonomy, and resilient space systems.

The first project, Enhancing Space Survivability through Strategic Engineering, Predictive Threat Systems Modelling and AI, aims to develop ML/AI predictive toolkits and a generative-AI simulation testbed for real-time threat forecasting and resilience optimisation. The second, Autonomous Strategic Resilient Architectures for Space System Survivability, focuses on designing and demonstrating autonomous, fractionated/swarm satellite architectures that can reconfigure and self-heal under attack or disruption.

These studentships are especially relevant for candidates interested in aerospace engineering, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and related disciplines. The post highlights direct engagement with a defence and security R&D lab (Dstl), possible secondments, and potential industry collaborations.

Eligibility is aimed at outstanding final-year engineering undergraduate (MEng) and Master's students, with a preference for applicants from Aerospace, Design, Mechanical, Systems Engineering or related backgrounds. The post also states that British citizens only are eligible.

No formal deadline is given in the post. Interested candidates are invited to share the post, contact the announcer by email at [email protected], or reach out via LinkedIn direct message.