Aerospace Engineering: Swansea University Research Excellence Scholarships (SURES): Fully Funded PhD Scholarship: Design and fabrication of Inertial Measurement Unit (RS613)

Fully Funded PhD Scholarship: Design and fabrication of Inertial Measurement Unit for Aerospace applications

Funding provider: Swansea University

Subject areas: Aerospace Engineering

Project start date:

• 1 July 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-June) 

Supervisors: 

• Dr Hadi Madinei (Hadi.Madinei@Swansea.ac.uk) 
• Dr Saber Azizi
• Professor Hamed Haddad Khodaparast

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Aerospace Engineering

Mode of study: Full-time

Project description: 

Swansea University is pleased to offer fully-funded Swansea University Research Excellence Scholarships (SURES) for full-time doctoral students to its fifth cohort.

Are you a driven and enthusiastic PhD candidate with a passion for aerospace technology? We're seeking a brilliant mind to lead groundbreaking research in designing a cutting-edge, super-sensitive Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) tailored for aerospace excellence. 

IMUs contribute significantly to aerospace operations by providing reliable, real-time information about motion, orientation, and acceleration. They play a critical role in ensuring the safety, accuracy, and efficiency of various aerospace operations. Some of the very important applications include navigation and Flight Control, attitude determination, gyroscopic stability, redundancy and reliability, space exploration, aircraft and spacecraft testing, and precision instrumentation.  

The primary goal of this project is to develop an Inertial Measurement Unit with an exceptional level of sensitivity. Our focus is on crafting a sensor capable of precisely detecting and quantifying even the smallest changes in acceleration, angular velocity, and orientation. Through meticulous design and leveraging the world-class facilities at Swansea University, we aim to fabricate and validate the IMU's performance. This involves precise manufacturing and rigorous testing to ensure that the sensor surpasses existing sensitivity standards. 

The potential candidate will work in a highly motivated and supportive group where collaboration and innovation thrive. Our team fosters an environment that encourages open communication, knowledge sharing, and creative problem-solving. As a member of this dynamic group, you'll have the opportunity to engage with accomplished researchers, engineers, and experts in the field of aerospace technology. Together, we are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of IMU design, driving forward advancements that will shape the future of aerospace applications. Join us to be part of a community that values your contributions and is committed to making a significant impact on the aerospace industry. 

Candidates must have attained, or must be expected to attain, a first-class honours degree and/or a distinction at master’s level. If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements (see country specific qualifications). Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

• Where applicants have multiple master’s degrees, a distinction must be held in the degree that is most relevant to the intended PhD study. 

As a cohort-based programme, deferral to an alternative enrolment window within the academic year or to another academic year is not permissible.

Please note that both the degree and language-proficiency entry requirements for SURES are higher than the baseline standard for entry that is stipulated for most of the PhD programmes at Swansea University. 

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations.  

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in. 

This scholarship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees and an annual stipend at £18,622.

Additional research expenses will also be available.

To apply, please complete your application online with the following information:

1. Course choice – please select Aerospace Engineering / PhD / Full-time / 3 Year / July

   In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

2. Start year – please select 2024
3. Funding (page 8) –

• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS613 - SURES'

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

We encourage you to complete the following to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University: 

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form (online form) 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via e-mail). We strongly advise you to provide the listed supporting documents by the advertised application closing date. Please note that your application may not be considered without the documents listed:

• CV
• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.
• Two references (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.
• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable).
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
• Confirmation of EDI form submission (optional) 

Informal enquiries are welcome, please contact Dr Hadi Madinei (Hadi.Madinei@Swansea.ac.uk).

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.