Funding
Funded
Rolls-Royce Partnership PhD: Investigating Ground Loads for Ultra-Efficient Aircraft
School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering | PHD
Reference Number
MAE26-27AM
Application Deadline
28 November 2025
Start Date
1 October 2026
Overview
The clock is ticking on climate change, and aviation faces its greatest engineering challenge. Long-distance air travel as we know it is unsustainable. The simple solution of batteries won't work, leaving a critical gap: how do we engineer revolutionary new aircraft and engine architectures that can fly on sustainable, carbon-neutral fuels? This isn't just an academic question; it's a global imperative. We are seeking a visionary PhD candidate to join a highly collaborative team in partnership with Rolls-Royce. This is your opportunity to work alongside leading academic and industry experts, tackling the fundamental engineering problems that will unlock Net Zero flight. You won't just be doing research; you'll be co-developing the foundational technologies that will power the next century of aviation, positioning you as a key player in this essential transition. This PhD project, in collaboration with Rolls-Royce, is part of a strategic partnership aimed at developing next-generation engineering design technologies and cultivating a pipeline of future engineering leaders. You’ll be embedded within a dynamic, interdisciplinary research group comprising fellow PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, academic mentors, and industry experts.
Project Description: Detailed description of the project.
To reach NetZero, airframers are designing ultra-low-drag, high-aspect-ratio wings with foldable wingtips to maintain airport compatibility. Meanwhile, engine manufacturers are creating extreme-bypass-ratio engines that can burn sustainable aviation fuels and hydrogen for cleaner, quieter, and more fuel-efficient propulsion. The future of NetZero aviation depends on integrating these technologies into new, ultra-efficient aircraft and engine architectures, optimising the structural design of both the airframe and engines for minimum mass and maximum efficiency.
As the aviation industry moves towards closer coupled powerplant and aircraft design, the ability to predict loads for novel configurations is necessary. In collaboration with Rolls-Royce Plc, this PhD project will investigate modelling strategies for simulating aircraft landing and ground behaviour, with the primary objective of assessing the loading on the engine for varying aircraft concepts. Using this capability, the project will investigate emerging ultra-efficient aircraft and engine architectures. This capability will support early-stage evaluations of future aircraft and engine designs. This is a vital, often-overlooked area of research, and your work will be essential for assessing and validating the structural integrity of novel aircraft and engine concepts. By taking on this project, you will:
• Develop a critical new capability for predicting loads on advanced aircraft configurations.
• Support the early-stage design of ultra-efficient aircraft and engine architectures.
• Gain invaluable industry experience through an exclusive partnership with Rolls-Royce.
Project objectives
• Investigate critical ground events - This involves investigating critical ground events and understanding methods to model them, with the goal of predicting engine and airframe response. A key component will be a secondment at Rolls-Royce, where you will gain unique, state-of-the-art knowledge of relevant analysis techniques and emerging design challenges.
• Determine structural representation requirements - Conduct a series of simulation experiments to determine the structural representation requirements for engine response. This will involve both multibody simulation of the identified ground events and coupled engine and airframe finite element modelling to predict loads.
• Develop and apply new methods - This task focuses on developing and applying methods to compare predicted aircraft and powerplant data sets from simulated experiments. The comparison will be used to identify appropriate modelling strategies for the conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design phases.
• Analyse the influence of emerging architectures - Using the conceptual design methods you develop, you will investigate how emerging ultra-efficient aircraft and engine architectures influence predicted aircraft and powerplant loads.
• Documentation and Workflow Automation - Document findings and automate the final modelling strategies for use in industrial workflows.
This project is part-funded by Rolls-Royce Plc, and offers opportunities for short and/or longer term secondments to Rolls-Royce sites to support the research activities and demonstrate the developed capabilities in an active industrial environment.
Advanced Computational Simulation Proficiency: The student will gain hands-on expertise in developing and running high-fidelity simulations using tools like Hypermesh and NASTRAN.
Programming for simulation automation: The student will build skills in coding tailored algorithms for automation of model building, batch analyses and results post-processing (e.g., in Python with NumPy/SciPy).
Through regular industry engagement and secondment with Rolls-Royce, the student will build a professional network and gain practical insights into industry needs and methods. By delivering tools and capabilities directly used by the industry partner the student will demonstrate tangible impact and gaining expertise in industry-relevant simulation software. These experiences will position the student as a highly skilled candidate for future technical and leadership roles either in industrial or academic career paths.
This PhD project merges aerospace engineering, structural dynamics, and computational analysis to deliver novel predictive simulation capability focusing on fatigue ground loads. In collaboration with industry, you'll develop innovative simulation tools for loads prediction, enhancing aircraft durability and accelerating the design of innovative aircraft and propulsion system solutions.
Funding Information
Home studentships - cover tuition fees and include a maintenance stipend of £20,780 per annum.
This project offers an additional top-up stipend of £6,000 per year, and together with the maintenance stipend will give a take home pay of £26,780 per annum.
An industry gross salary (pre-tax, student loan repayment, pension (3%) and national insurance contributions) of £35,000 results in an approximately equivalent take home pay.
A Home studentship is open to UK and ROI nationals, and to EU nationals with settled status in the UK, subject to meeting specific nationality and residency criteria.
DfE studentship eligibility information can be viewed at: https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/publications/student-finance-postgraduate-studentships-terms-and-conditions
Project Summary
Supervisor
Professor Adrian Murphy
Mode of Study
Full-time: Full Time
Mechanical Engineering overview
Our society needs exceptional engineers who can understand, create and harness technology to address our shared global challenges. Without these individuals our long-term success as technologically advanced societies and economies will be diminished. Undertaking a PhD in the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering will enable you to make a real difference, positively impacting your career and through your research improving engineering methods and practice, and ultimately society.
Research undertaken by PhD students in the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering forms a critical part of our research portfolio. Our research portfolio is ranked 24th in the UK with 96% of our Engineering research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent [REF 2021/ Times Higher Education]. What is more the REF2021 assessment, which is carried out by panels of academics and international experts, rated over 99% of the university research environment as world-leading or internationally excellent. Within this environment our PhD students research within the broad topics of design, materials, manufacturing, and energy.
Joining us as a PhD student you will be part of a dynamic environment and will study alongside students from many countries worldwide. It is a lively community of over 100 students, in which you will have the opportunity to develop both career and life skills, for example by participating in cohort training and mentoring programmes and student led social and cultural activities.
A PhD studentship is an investment in your personal development, worth over £100,000. Many of our PhD graduates take-up academic roles, while others go on to play leading roles in industry or become entrepreneurs. A PhD provides many benefits, among others it provides a range of “transferable skills”, such as independent and critical thinking, analytical and problem solving skills, leadership, and self-confidence. Because of these developed characteristics we see that many industry leaders hold a PhD. You will likely get a higher salary after graduation from a PhD than you do three years after an undergraduate degree. More importantly, you will get a different type of job and likely make progress faster through promotion and reward mechanisms. This, of course, depends on your ambition, but a PhD builds an exceptional career foundation.
Mechanical Engineering Highlights
Industry Links
- The school boasts a number of strategic partnerships with world leading engineering companies. These partnerships enable our postgraduate students to forge vital links with industrial collaborators throughout their studies, gaining valuable exposure and real-world feedback. For example, the WTech Research Centre is working alongside Wrightbus to develop innovative and crucial global transport solutions. A dedicated team partnered with Rolls-Royce, is developing novel design approaches to deliver the aircraft of tomorrow. These partnerships, amongst others, mean PhD students can begin making real industry impact from year one of their studies.
World Class Facilities
- The school encompasses world class facilities which are tailored to meet the needs of our students and research specialisms. Our materials testing laboratories can characterise a wide range of materials, including polymers and advanced composites. Our High Performance Computing (HPC) facility supports demanding numerical analysis such as Finite Element Analysis and Computational Fluid Dynamics. State-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities, including additive manufacture and robotics are powering research into The Factory of the Future.
It is cutting edge facilities such as these, that give our PhD graduates a unique set of skills to enhance their future careers.
Internationally Renowned Experts
- Undertaking a research degree in the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at Queen’s, you will work with and be supervised by world-leading experts in their respective fields.
Student Experience
- An enhanced student experience is at the heart of what we do. As part of a diverse community of over 100 PhD students, you’ll be a valued part of a vibrant research community. You will benefit from a supportive mentoring program, a wide range of training opportunities and avail of the social events and wellbeing initiatives rolled out by our student-led Research Culture Committee.
Key Facts
Research students are encouraged to play a full and active role in relation to the wide range of research activities undertaken within the School and there are many resources available including:
- The School has strategic research partnerships with a number of globally leading engineering companies, e.g. Rolls-Royce, Wrightbus, in which researchers undertake cutting edge and impactful research within multidisciplinary teams.
- Access to state-of-the-art research laboratories and computing facilities (Northern Ireland High performance computing), along with office accommodation and opportunity to work within our aligned innovation centres
- Access to the Queen’s University Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme and a wide range of personal development and specialist training courses.
- A vibrant research community with opportunities to socialise, integrate and personally develop through student and university organised events.
- Excellent graduate prospects ranging from academic, industrial to entrepreneurial opportunities.
Course content
Career Prospects
Employment after the Course
Dedicated to translating our research innovation into real world industrial and societal benefit. Many of our PhD graduates have moved into academic and research roles in Higher Education while others go on to play leading roles in industry, industry or become entrepreneurs. Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits .
People teaching you
Dr Declan Nolan
Doctoral Programme Director
Mech & Aerospace Engineering
Email: d.nolan@qub.ac.uk
Course structure
Undertaking a PhD presents the opportunity to carry out novel research guided by dedicated supervisory teams who are built on expertise.A PhD programme runs for 3-4 years full-time or 6-8 years part-time. Students can apply for a writing up year should it be required. Supervisors will offer feedback on the research work at regular intervals throughout the period of registration on the degree.
During the lifecycle of your research programme, you will be required to reach key milestones:
Initial Review – within three months (FTE) of first registration. A light touch progress meeting to establish the feasibility of the project and the research plan.
Differentiation – within nine months (FTE) of first registration. You will remain an ‘undifferentiated PhD student’ until this milestone has been completed wherein you will be required to satisfy academic staff that you are capable of undertaking a research degree.
Annual Progress Reviews – yearly thereafter Differentiation, requires students to present their work in writing and orally to a panel of academics. Successful completion of this process will allow students to register for the next academic year.
Viva voce [oral examination] - the final assessment of the doctoral degree is both oral and written. Students will submit their thesis to an internal and external examining team who will review the written thesis before inviting the student to orally defend their work at a Viva Voce.
Over the course of study, you can attend postgraduate skills training organised by the Graduate School, with opportunities to attend conferences and further training organised through your supervisor. Further growth and development opportunities are supported by community events (seminars, workshops, competitions, conferences etc) which are intentionally designed to provide platforms for showcasing your research to wider audiences.
Entrance requirements
Graduate
The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.
International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.
English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component (*taken within the last 2 years) is required.
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.
For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
Tuition Fees
| Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | TBC |
| Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | TBC |
| England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | TBC |
| EU Other 3 | £28,000 |
| International | £28,000 |
1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
2 It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. All fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
More information on postgraduate tuition fees.
Mechanical Engineering costs
There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.
Additional course costs
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies . Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines. In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis. There may also be individually tailored research project expenses and students should consult directly with the School for further information.
Bench fees
Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.
How do I fund my study?
1.PhD OpportunitiesFind PhD opportunities and funded studentships by subject area.
2.Funded Doctoral Training ProgrammesWe offer numerous opportunities for funded doctoral study in a world-class research environment. Our centres and partnerships, aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide targeted training and skills development.
3.PhD loansThe Government offers doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students.
4.International ScholarshipsInformation on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students.
Funding and Scholarships
The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.
How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
Find a supervisor
If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.
To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.
You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.