Silvestre Pinho

[Full coverage of tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of £22,780 for Home, EU and International students.] This PhD studentship at Imperial College London offers the opportunity to join a world-class research team in the Department of Aeronautics, working on the development of artificial intelligence and advanced numerical methods for structural aircraft digital twins. The project is part of the EPSRC Fellowship VERA and involves collaboration with leading organisations such as NASA, Airbus, and Rolls-Royce. The successful candidate will work in the PinhoLab, led by Professor Silvestre Pinho, which is renowned for its contributions to numerical and experimental methods in aeronautics and sustainability. The lab's work has been featured in TEDx talks, the UK Parliament, and major media outlets, and its alumni are highly sought after in aerospace, space agencies, technology companies, and academia. The main goal of the project is to develop efficient structural simulation techniques for novel aircraft configurations, supporting the aviation sector's transition to net-zero emissions by 2050. The research will expand the role of simulation in aircraft certification, accelerating innovation cycles. The studentship provides training in finite element analysis, scientific machine learning, uncertainty quantification, and professional programming standards, as well as a deep understanding of aircraft design and certification processes. There are opportunities to collaborate with global leaders, present research at international conferences, and gain experience in co-supervising MSc theses and assisting with undergraduate labs. The position is fully funded for 3.5 years, covering tuition fees and providing an annual tax-free stipend of £22,780 for Home, EU, and International students. Applicants must hold or expect to hold a First class honours MEng/MSci or higher degree in Aeronautics, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering, with a strong affinity for programming. Experience with numerical methods, finite element method, statistics, and machine learning is desirable. The application process involves submitting a CV, transcripts, and a motivation statement, followed by a supervisor review and further instructions for formal application. Imperial College London is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

[Full coverage of tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of £22,780 for Home, EU and International students.] Imperial College London invites applications for a fully funded PhD Studentship in Aeronautics, focusing on Artificial Intelligence for Structural Aircraft Digital Twins. This opportunity is part of the EPSRC Fellowship VERA and involves collaboration with leading organisations such as NASA, Airbus, and Rolls-Royce. The project aims to accelerate the design and certification of innovative aircraft concepts to help aviation achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement. As a member of the renowned PinhoLab, led by Professor Silvestre Pinho (Airbus Chair), you will contribute to the development of advanced numerical methods for efficient structural simulation of novel aircraft configurations. The lab is internationally recognised for its work in numerical and experimental methods and sustainability, with research featured in TEDx talks, the UK Parliament, and major media outlets. Alumni from PinhoLab are highly sought after by aerospace companies, space agencies, and academia, often progressing to senior engineering and R&D leadership roles. The studentship offers full coverage of tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of £22,780 for Home, EU, and International students. The duration is 3.5 years, with a flexible start date between 1 August 2026 and 1 July 2027. You will gain expertise in Finite Element Analysis, Scientific Machine Learning, Uncertainty Quantification, and Professional Programming Standards, as well as a deep understanding of aircraft design and certification processes. There are opportunities to collaborate with global leaders, present at top international conferences, and gain teaching experience through co-supervising MSc theses and assisting with undergraduate labs (with additional pay). Eligibility requires a First class honours MEng/MSci or higher degree (or international equivalent) in Aeronautics, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering. A strong affinity for programming is essential, and experience with numerical methods, finite element method, statistics, and machine learning is desirable. Imperial College London is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, holding multiple awards and recognitions for its efforts. To apply, submit a 2-page CV, transcripts, and a 300-word motivation statement via the Supervisor Review Form by 8 January 2026. Long-listed candidates will be contacted with further instructions and an application link. For project-related questions, contact Professor Silvestre Pinho; for application process queries, reach out to Lisa Kelly, PhD Administrator. For more information, visit the PinhoLab website and the official PhD opportunities page.