PhD opportunities and funding

PhD opportunities

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌Graduates of our PhD programmes are active with industrial firms, universities and research establishments, not only within the aerospace sector, but in fields as diverse as deep-sea oil rigs, atomic reactors, submarine and ship design, bridge research, racing car and engine research, atmospheric pollution, and in many other aspects of industrial aerodynamics, structural analysis and materials.

Highly qualified prospective PhD students are also encouraged to obtain their own PhD scholarship. Opportunities for this can be found on the postgraduate scholarship webpage (note that most of these are highly competitive).

Prospective students should contact relevant academic staff to agree on a suitable project if interested in this option.

Funded PhD opportunities

Department of Aeronautics PhD Studentships:

We are currently accepting applications for the following ten PhD Studentships in the Department of Aeronautics. These ten PhD Studentships follow a different application process and you can find out more about each projects and instructions on how to apply on our dedicated PhD Studentships projects webpage.

• Real-time machine learning and optimisation for extreme weather (AE0073)
• PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: Artificial intelligence for structural aircraft Digital Twins (AE0074)
• PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: Novel algorithms for load rebalancing of adaptive mesh simulations on heterogeneous clusters (AE0075)
• PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: Smart adaptive materials for soft robotics skins and Aero-robotic applications (AE0076)
• PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: Novel hybrid composites for extreme loads (AE0077)
• PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: How offshore wind farms and clouds interact – Maximising performance with scientific machine learning (AE0078)
• PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: Architected materials for non-linear thermo-mechanical applications (AE0079)
• PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: Developing a Digital Twin for composite pressure tanks (AE0080)

• PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: AI-Driven inverse modelling & design optimisation for Next-Gen Hypersonic Flight (AE0081)

• Turbulence under strain (AE0082)

Deadline: 8 January 2026

The Brahmal Vasudevan Institute of Sustainable Aviation - Doctoral Programme in Sustainable Aviation

Applications are now open for the October 2026 PhD Cohort in Sustainable Aviation in The Brahmal Vasudevan Institute of Sustainable Aviation - a pioneering programme addressing urgent challenges in aviation sustainability. It provides an interdisciplinary environment for researchers ready to challenge convention and develop bold, system-wide solutions. There are nine proposed projects for candidates to consider during their application and selection process, each aimed at delivering transformative impact across technology, operations, and policy. More details on the projects are available on our dedicated  Doctoral Programme in Sustainable Aviation webpages.

Deadline: 19 January 2026

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

The amount of funding you will need to fund a PhD will vary according to your fee status (UK, EU or overseas). Please see Imperial College's student fees and funding pages for information on fees, living costs and College-administered scholarships.

Students in the department are funded from a variety of sources, including UK Research Councils, industry, College scholarships and departmental funding.

For scholarships administered from either the College or our Department, any applicant is automatically considered for any scholarships they are eligible for, unless stated otherwise by the applicant and unless it is the President’s PhD Scholarship. Special procedures apply when applying for the President’s PhD Scholarship.

There are many funding options available for students, including, but not limited to the below:

• President’s PhD Scholarship
• Project-specific studentships
• Centres for Doctoral Training
• Imperial College Scholarships (search tool)
• External funding
• International scholarship collaborations