Research Assistant/Associate in Environmental Impacts of Aircraft
Quantifying the environmental impacts of next-generation hydrogen and electric aircraft through advanced emissions and air quality modelling.
Best for:Best for researchers with a PhD and strong scientific programming backgrounds interested in atmospheric modelling and sustainable aviation.
Overview
The Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge invites applications for a Research Assistant or Research Associate to work on the environmental impacts of next-generation aircraft. Operating within Dr Irene Dedoussi's group at the Whittle Laboratory, the successful candidate will develop aircraft emissions and air quality models as part of the EU-funded SESAR project ZENITIA. The appointee will collaborate with academic and industrial partners across Europe to evaluate future aviation scenarios and inform policy. Candidates must have or be close to obtaining a PhD in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline along with strong computational modelling skills.
What you'll do
- Develop global emissions inventories for current and next-generation aircraft under scenarios up to 2050, including landing and take-off modelling.
- Develop, evaluate, and apply near-airport air quality modelling capabilities.
- Collaborate closely with consortium partners and contribute to project deliverables.
- Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at conferences.
Requirements
Degree required: PhD obtained or close to completion in aerospace, mechanical, or chemical engineering, atmospheric or environmental science, physics, applied mathematics, or a related field
Language: English; excellent written and spoken proficiency
Instruction: English
Publications: A publication record appropriate to career stage
- Experience in modelling physical systems such as atmospheric modelling, aircraft performance, propulsion, combustion, or fluid dynamics
- Strong scientific programming skills
- A publication record appropriate to career stage
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Must be eligible to live and work in the UK
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-11-03
Submit your application online through the university portal by the closing date. Ensure you include all requested documentation such as your CV, publication list, covering letter, and a representative research publication.
- CV
- List of publications
- Covering letter
- Most representative research publication
Contact
Irene Dedoussi· Principal Investigator
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