Call, News, Open Position, Publications

Call for Expressions of Interest: PhD Positions for Spring 2026 (Deadline Imminent)

The Department of Aerospace Engineering is initiating a screening process for potential candidates to secure one of four funded PhD positions opening in December.

The Department of Aerospace Engineering is seeking talented, highly motivated candidates to initiate their PhD studies during the first semester of 2026. We are currently conducting a screening process to identify top talent for four positions that will be formally opened in December.

Below are the priority research topics currently inviting expressions of interest.

Application Rules & Deadline

  • Deadline: Tuesday, December 3rd, midnight (CET).
  • Required Documents: CV, Transcript of Records, and a Motivation Letter. (Recommendation letters are optional but welcomed).
  • Important Constraint: Please choose ONLY ONE topic and send your expression of interest only to the contacts listed for that specific topic. Applications sent to multiple topics will be disregarded.

Priority Research Topics

Topic #1: Numerical modeling and analysis of atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion thrusters for LEO drag compensation Supervisors: Jiewei Zhou & Ahilan Appar This PhD proposal aims to advance atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion (#ABEP) for sustainable and cost-effective satellite operations in low Earth orbit. Advanced numerical models will be developed that integrate #AirChemistry, plasma–wall interactions, and intake propellant collection, enabling coupled simulations of the intake and thruster. Virtual ABEP prototypes based on Hall, ion, and electrodeless thrusters will be analyzed under realistic orbital conditions to identify optimal performance regimes in #SpacePropulsion.

Topic #2: Real-Time Optimal Initialization and Maintenance of Spacecraft Formation Supervisors: Behrad Vatankhahghadim & Kun Wang This topic will consider optimality and nonlinearity in the initialization and maintenance phases of #SpacecraftFormation flight missions, solving the #OptimalControl problem in real time. The optimization objective will balance minimum time and fuel consumption, tackling both guidance and control problems (#GNC). The effects of formation configuration shape and size, number of spacecraft, and environmental disturbances will also be studied.

Topic #3: GPU accelerated Hybrid Discontinuous Galerkin Framework: Development, Validation and Application Supervisors: Ceren Gürkan & Ignacio Andreu This PhD thesis aims to develop an in-house, #GPU-accelerated Hybridizable Discontinuous Galerkin (#HDG) solver for fluid dynamics applications. The research will begin with algorithm development and benchmarking against established #CFD solvers to assess computational efficiency. Its capabilities will be demonstrated through simulations of realistic wind turbine aerodynamics to support design optimization.

Topic #4: Digital twin-based monitoring of composite slender structures Supervisors: Gabriele Dessena & Albert Racionero The pursuit of higher-performance structures has led to high-aspect-ratio designs made of fibre-reinforced composites. In composites, damage complexity makes detection difficult with standard visual inspections. This proposal aims to develop a joint simulation and operational data framework—a #DigitalTwin—for the #HealthMonitoring of these structures to guarantee damage tolerance criteria during operation. Keywords: #CompositeDamage, #Defects, #Vibration

Topic #5: Uncertainty and complexity in turbulence modelling Supervisors: Miguel Perez & Alberto Vela This thesis will investigate the role of explicitly accounting for uncertainty in #TurbulenceModelling to develop reliable models. Using direct numerical simulations (#DNS) and various #DataDriven techniques, it will examine how uncertainty constrains turbulence prediction accuracy. This work will integrate numerical methods, AI principles, and chaos theory to probe the limits of fluid dynamics.

Topic #6: General Aerospace Engineering Research Contact: Manuel Soler (Director of the PhD program) This option covers all other research activities carried out by different groups within the Department of Aerospace Engineering. If your interests lie outside Topics 1-5, please apply here and clearly express your desired research line in your motivation letter. Your application will be distributed according to your area of interest.

How to Submit Your Expression of Interest

Please send your documents (CV, Transcripts, Motivation Letter) via email before December 3rd midnight directly to the supervisors of your chosen topic:

Leave a comment