This full-time PhD position is funded by SESAR and Centre for Assured and Connected Autonomy in Cranfield University. This department studentship will provide a bursary of up to £57,711 (tax free) plus fees for three years. Key areas of the project are Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Urban Air Mobility (UAM), Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), autonomous decision making, path planning, guidance and control of multi-agent systems.

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), which includes Urban Air Mobility and Uncrewed Aerial Systems, is emerging as a sustainable and efficient transportation system. The UK envisions to start regular drone deliveries by 2027 and demonstrate autonomous flying taxis by 2030. However, key technical challenges lie on safety and reliability of the operations, especially in harsh environments such as urban canyons and rural areas, where weather conditions are unpredictable, communication and navigation accuracies are vulnerable to loss of signal, interference, and noise, and ground risks are critical especially around congested or critical infrastructures.

This research aims to develop decision making and planning algorithms that can mitigate the risks challenging environments of AAM. The objectives will involve identifying and modelling different risks in the operational environments, including weather, communication, navigation, and ground risks, and developing autonomous decision making and planning algorithms to re-route or schedule multiple vehicles to minimise the impact on the efficiency and safety.

This PhD position is related to a 2-year project funded by SESAR, involving various partners across Europe such as CRIDA, ENAIRE, EuroUSC, Collins, and DLR. The objective of this project is to assess and mitigate risks in different AAM use-cases within the U-space framework. The rest of the study will be funded by Centre for Assured and Connected Autonomy in Cranfield University.

The resultant risk-aware decision making and planning algorithm will provide safety and reliability in AAM operations, accelerating the pace of UK and U-space integration.

On top of internal training opportunities provided in Cranfield University, attending conferences and external training opportunities will be supported once a year.

This post will enable not only acquiring technical knowledge on autonomous decision making and planning, but also aligning it with regulatory and industrial needs within the AAM area. Active engagements with other European stakeholders will improve employability at the end of the study.

At a glance

  • Application deadline04 Jun 2025
  • Award type(s)PhD
  • Start date29 Sep 2025
  • Duration of award3 years full-time
  • EligibilityUK, EU, Rest of world
  • Reference numberSATM584

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. This project would suit the applicants with the background of control engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering. This post will require programming using Python, C++, or MATLAB. It is desirable to have experience or knowledge on autonomous decision making, task allocation, path planning and following, guidance and control algorithms.

Funding

Sponsored by SESAR and Cranfield University this department studentship will provide a bursary of up to £57711(tax free) plus 100% of fees for UK students and 45% of fees for international students.

Cranfield Doctoral Network

Research students at Cranfield benefit from being part of a dynamic, focused and professional study environment and all become valued members of the Cranfield Doctoral Network. This network brings together both research students and staff, providing a platform for our researchers to share ideas and collaborate in a multi-disciplinary environment. It aims to encourage an effective and vibrant research culture, founded upon the diversity of activities and knowledge. A tailored programme of seminars and events, alongside our Doctoral Researchers Core Development programme (transferable skills training), provide those studying a research degree with a wealth of social and networking opportunities.

How to apply

For further information please contact:      
Name: Hae-In Lee
Email:  haein.lee@cranfield.ac.uk
Phone: +44 1234 75 4969

If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the online application form.