Research Assistant/Associate in Environmental Impacts of Next-Generation Aircraft
Develop advanced emissions and air quality models to assess the environmental footprint of future aviation technologies.
Best for:Best for researchers with a background in atmospheric or aerospace modelling and a passion for sustainable aviation.
Overview
The University of Cambridge is seeking a Research Assistant or Associate to join the Whittle Laboratory and contribute to the EU-funded SESAR project ZENITIA. The successful candidate will develop and apply sophisticated models to quantify the climate and air quality impacts of hydrogen and electric aircraft. This role involves close collaboration with international academic and industry partners to inform European aviation policy and air traffic management strategies. Applicants should possess strong scientific programming skills and a background in engineering or atmospheric science.
What you'll do
- Develop global emissions inventories for current and next-generation aircraft through 2050.
- Model landing and take-off emissions for future aircraft scenarios.
- Create, evaluate, and apply near-airport air quality modelling capabilities.
- Collaborate with international consortium partners including Boeing and various European universities.
- Contribute to project deliverables and technical reports for the ZENITIA project.
- Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at academic conferences.
Requirements
Degree required: PhD in aerospace, mechanical or chemical engineering, atmospheric or environmental science, physics, applied mathematics or a related field.
Language: English; proficiency required for research and collaboration.
Instruction: English
Publications: A publication record appropriate to the applicant's career stage.
- Experience in modelling physical systems such as atmospheric dynamics, propulsion, or fluid dynamics.
- Strong proficiency in scientific programming.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proven publication record appropriate to career stage.
- Must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
- Appointment as Research Associate requires a PhD; those near completion will be appointed as Research Assistant.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-11-03
Submit your application through the university's online portal. Ensure you include a CV with a publication list, a covering letter, and your most representative research publication in the upload section.
- CV
- List of publications
- Covering letter
- Representative research publication
Contact
Irene Dedoussi· Principal Investigator
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