PhD Studentship in Electrical Engineering
University of Nottingham
United Kingdom

Digital-Twinning of Electric Propulsion Systems

Applications are invited for the above multiple research studentships to join the Power Electronics, Machines and Drives Research Group at the University of Nottingham.  The PEMC group has undergone a significant period of growth and now has over 150 members, with 18 academics (including 7 full professors) and approximately 120 PhD students and post-doctoral research fellows. The group has excellent facilities for experimental work including approximately 2500m² of research space and a construction and testing capability up to 5MW.

The successful candidate will conduct research within a team focusing on innovative electric propulsion systems for future de-carbonised, green aircraft and will support delivery of one of our new flagship EU-funded €40M NEWBORN – “NExt generation high poWer fuel cells for airBORNe applications” project ().

We are inviting talented students to join the team to develop a real-time digital twin of the fuel-cell electric propulsion system. The tasks of this PhD include

• Real-time digital twin technology review to understand this technology and its recent development for electrical engineering application.
• Real-time simulation platform skills development including Typhoon and SpeedGoat.
• Development of real-time digital twin (physical or Artificial Intelligent based) of electric propulsion system including propulsion motors, power converters, fuel cell and batteries etc within the real-time simulation platform.
• Training the development digital-twin using real-time data from hardware available
• Electrical power level studies with developed digital twin to identify visible solutions for distribution electric propulsion.

We are seeking exceptionally motivated and first-class students with a strong academic background in one or more of the following areas: Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science (with a focus on AI/ML or systems modelling) with good electrical engineering knowledge. first-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline. A Master’s degree with distinction will be highly advantageous.

These posts are open to both UK and non-UK students. The studentship is available for a start date in October 2025 and will run for 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory progress.

Funding

This fully funded PhD studentship and please contact Prof. Tao Yang (IET Fellow and Industrial Fellow of Royal Academic of Engineering) at tao.yang@nottingham.ac.uk for more information including funding opportunities (Full International Funding available for Excellent students).

Please apply here https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/how-to-apply/apply-online.aspx

When applying for this studentship, please include the supervisors name within the personal statement section of the application. This will help in ensuring your application is sent directly to the academic advertising the studentship. 

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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