Faculty or Department: Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Based at: Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire
Hours of work: 37 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered.
Contract type: Fixed term contract
Fixed Term Period: Until 30 November 2026
Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £32,039 per annum
Apply by: 15/09/2024

Role Description

Research Assistant in AI-Based Aerospace System Design and Optimization

We welcome applications from prospective Research Assistants in AI-Based Aerospace System Design and Optimization with relevant knowledge and experience, to work on various industrial and research agency funded projects.

About the Role

Cranfield University has been awarded several prestigious research grants on AI-Based Design and Optimization of Aerospace Subsystems including fuel gauging systems. The projects cover defining and optimizing aircraft fuel tank geometries and sensor placement. This involves creating mathematical models and geometric optimization algorithms, leveraging AI and genetic algorithms to enhance sensor integration efficiency. Tasks include validating these models and algorithms against various operational conditions and developing an AI-driven "Gauge Solver" tool for broader subsystem integration and optimization. Collaboration with Airbus for inputs on operational parameters is also a key component of the work.

As a Research Assistant you will contribute to the research activities of the Centre for Autonomous and Cyber-physical Systems, especially concerning the specific projects described above. You will be expected to collaborate with the existing staff working in the area and have communications and meetings with our collaborators within the university or in other international universities.

About You

You will be educated to MSc level and have experience and expertise, including AI implementations for design and optimization of aerospace systems. You will possess outstanding communication skills and a demonstrated record of publications in the design, development, and coding of AI-based software for aerospace systems. You are expected to have a well-documented track record of research outputs, evidenced through projects and publications. Practical experience in aerospace systems modelling, proficiency in Python, and the use of AI tools are fundamental aspects of your role.

Additionally, you are expected to have exemplary presentation and communication skills, capable of engaging with a variety of customer groups, including students, industrial stakeholders, and research collaborators. You should be adept at interacting effectively with senior technical staff and collaborating with colleagues in an academic research setting.

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

Aerospace is at the heart of Cranfield’s global research airport and is renowned throughout the world for its teaching and research in the fields of aviation and aerospace.  Cranfield Aerospace’s six centres are the powerhouses of our world class research, driving technological and conceptual advances in aeronautics, propulsion engineering, cyber-physical systems and intelligent automation. Through the strong links with industry built over the past 70 years, we focus on defining and delivering the aircraft, airport and airspace management of the future and are the only university in Europe with our own airport and runway.  Cranfield Aerospace is internationally recognised as the first choice for research and education in all aspects of aerospace including aircraft, drones, urban air mobility and space.  Find out more about our work here About Aerospace. Our reputation for leading in the field of autonomy and AI, advanced air mobility, ATM/UTM, autonomous vehicle systems, applied artificial intelligence and control engineering has been established through more than thirty years of research into this field.

We work in partnership with industrial clients and research organisations to provide high quality training, research, development and consultancy to meet the challenges of these competitive markets. We have an outstanding international reputation for the quality of our work and our capability of performing both theoretical and experimental studies.

Our work covers academic provision (MSc and PhD) and research. Research works span from fundamental research and development to single client contract research and development.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Inalhan, Professor Gokhan, Professor of Autonomous Systems and Artificial Intelligence Inalhan@cranfield.ac.uk.

Closing date for receipt of applications: 15 September 2024