PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: The chemistry of contrails (AE0090)

Start Date:

Between 1 August 2027 and 1 July 2028

Application Deadline:

23.59 on 4 January 2027 (UK time)

Introduction: 

Aircraft condensation trails (contrails) are thought to be responsible for up to half of aviation's overall contribution to climate change, and eliminating them has become a priority for aviation sustainability. Understanding the exact consequences of a contrail in different circumstances remains a significant challenge - and one which you can help with. You will be tasked with investigating the chemistry of contrails - the role that these artificial ice clouds might have in modifying the atmosphere not by changing the climate, but by providing a surface on which atmospheric chemistry takes place. You will develop expertise in simulation of ice clouds and atmospheric chemistry-transport modelling using the Imperial High Performance Computing facilities, while also engaging with the challenges of informed decision making regarding aircraft design and aviation policy. Depending on how your research develops you can also expect to learn about satellite and in-situ evaluation of aviation impacts, possible technical mechanisms of impact mitigation, and the role of operational constraints.

Throughout your studies you will be a member of the Aerospace Environmental Impacts Simulation (AEIS) group and working within the Contrail Research Centre, part of the Brahmal Vasudevan Institute for Sustainable Aviation. You can expect constant exposure to debate, discussion, and collaboration with a broad group of researchers, all working towards a common goal and representing expertise from aircraft exhaust simulation through to satellite-based contrail detection. You can also expect to attend conferences and meet with international researchers working on atmospheric science and aviation sustainability. By developing the technical skills at the heart of quantitative environmental impact analysis, you will be able to contribute directly to the work of making aerospace truly sustainable.

Supervisors: 

Dr Sebastian Eastham

Duration:

3.5 years

Funding:

Full coverage of tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of £23,805 for Home, EU and International students. Find out more about fee status on our Fees and Funding webpages.

Eligibility: 

Due to the competitive nature of our studentships, candidates will be expected to achieve/have achieved a First class honours MEng/MSci or higher degree (or international equivalent) in: Engineering (general) or Physics

We are looking for anyone with a quantitative mind, an interest in computation, and a genuine desire to advance aerospace sustainability.

How to apply

Submit your application via our Apply webpages - you will need to upload the following:

• CV
• personal statement
• transcripts
• contact details for two references

When applying, you will need to complete the following fields:

• Search course/Programme: Aeronautics Research (PhD)
• Research Group: Aero
• Research Topic: Please use reference number AE0090
• Research Supervisor: Dr Sebastian Eastham
• Entry term: Autumn 2027/8 or Spring 2027/8 

You can find out more general guidance on how to apply on our Admissions webpages.

Applying to two projects

You can apply for a maximum of two PhD projects in any academic year – this includes PhD projects in other departments at Imperial and the Doctoral Programme in Sustainable Aviation (DPSA) within our Brahmal Vasudevan Institute for Sustainable Aviation.

If you are submitting two applications for different PhD Studentships in the same academic year, you will need to select different entry terms – one application must be for the entry term Autumn 2027/8 and one application must be for the entry term Spring 2027/8. If you are successful in receiving an offer, we can amend the entry term of the relevant PhD Studentship.

References

You will need to provide the contact details of two referees – we will then contact them directly to request the references after you have submitted your application. Find out more about the importance of references and how to check the status of your references on our application references webpage.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your referees respond to any reference requests. To ensure we do not delay the admissions process for our applicants, any incomplete applications without references by 23.59 on 5 February 2027 (UK time) will be rejected. 

Contact

For more information about this specific PhD project, please contact: Dr Sebastian Eastham

For questions about the application process, please first read our Frequently Asked Questions. If your question has not been answered, please email the PhD Administrator (Admissions)

Frequently Asked Questions

 You can find answers to common application questions on our Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

Imperial is committed to equality and valuing diversity. We are an Athena SWAN Silver Award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Disability Confident Employer and are working in partnership with GIRES to promote respect for trans people.