Research Assistant or Associate in Computational Methods for Structural Wing Design

About the role

This post (Research Assistant/Associate in Computational Methods for Structural Wing Design) will allow you to contribute to a major industry-funded project developing the next generation of aircraft wings, led by Airbus and funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute. You will develop strong research, supervision, network, communication and project management skills. You will gain unique experience developing cutting-edge computational tools that bridge aeroelasticity, structural analysis and manufacturing constraints for early-stage design. You will get the opportunity to travel to international scientific conferences and to industry partners (Airbus).

Your work will focus on developing integrated computational tools for structural wing design, linking advanced failure models, uncertainty quantification, and structural surrogate frameworks based on Artificial Intelligence. You will develop tools that bridge from detailed simulation to rapid predictions, compute structural sensitivities, address uncertainty in material properties, and integrate these capabilities into a multi-disciplinary optimisation framework.

What you would be doing

You will develop computational tools that link aeroelastic analysis with structural sizing and failure assessment for early-stage wing design. This includes developing AI-based structural surrogate frameworks, computing failure index sensitivities using analytical or automatic differentiation approaches, quantifying uncertainty in material properties, and integrating these into a multi-disciplinary optimisation framework.

What we are looking for

Research Associate: Hold a PhD in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant.

Research Associate and Assistant: A recognised first class masters degree (or equivalent) in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline

In addition

Experience in computational mechanics, failure modelling of fibre-reinforced composites using FEM, use of Artificial Intelligence for surrogate models

• An interest or experience with structural optimisation
• Experience in scientific coding (e.g. Fortran, Python, C++)
• An interest in working in a larger group, collaborating with industry.

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to build a strong network with contacts at Airbus
• The opportunity to develop computational tools for early-stage aircraft wing design that will inform design practice at Airbus
• Ample scope for travelling to international conferences to disseminate the work done.
• Ample scope for publishing in leading journals.
• The opportunity to gain experience with cutting-edge computational methods at the interface of aeroelasticity, structural analysis and optimisation.
• The opportunity to gain supervision and project management experience.

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Grow your career: Gain access to Imperial's sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression

• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).

Further information

This contract is available until 31st October 2029.

If you require any further details on the role please contact: Silvestre Pinho - silvestre.pinho@imperial.ac.uk

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

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