Are you passionate about developing novel research and keen to shape the future of energy transfer technologies in the area of distributed Radio Frequency (RF) sensing and drone detection? We are recruiting a motivated PhD candidate to undertake an exciting project within the EPSRC Energy Transfer Technologies Doctoral Training Hub. As a student of the Hub, you will receive an enhanced stipend of £24,780 per year, plus additional funds of £7,000 a year for travel, conferences and research equipment. This project is co- funded by QinetiQ.
- Drones represent a key challenge for modern radar systems. They are very difficult to detect due to their small size, low flight profile and slow speed. This project investigates how to improve drone detection and localisation performance using radar systems.
This can be achieved by improving the detection performance of individual sensors and by employing a cooperative network of sensors which is optimally placed to improve the overall defence performance of a distributed counter-drone capability.
The use of a multistatic radar network can potentially provide a significant improvement in performance. Multistatic radar deployments, which produce several bistatic angles, can aid increasing the signal to noise ratio (SNR), increasing drone detectability and increasing the ability to accurately track and classify them. This also helps to observe different angular realisations of the multipath and clutter and to measure multiple angular-dependent target Doppler contributions, decreasing the likelihood of the target to fall within the stationary clutter returns and in the shadow of complex structures.
We will investigate the use of multistatic radars against low observable threats and develop signal processing methods and a modelling environment, aided by unique hardware-in-the loop, to assess the detection and estimation algorithm performance and determine optimal multistatic configurations and target search strategies.
The Doctoral Hub specialises in developing research and training the next generation of leaders in energy transfer technologies for defence and related sectors. The successful candidate will be based at [university] and throughout their PhD will benefit from the support and expertise of our diverse academic community, a community of students working towards similar goals, as well as our specialist industrial network.
The Centre for Defence Engineering and Physical Science at Cranfield University is a world-leading centre for research, education and consultancy on a diverse range of specialities in electronic and digital attack and protection. Located at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham, the Centre’s capabilities are widely respected within the defence and security sector, serving an extensive range of students, clients and organisations. Our electronic warfare disciplines focus on electronic attack, electronic protection and electronic warfare support through communications and networks, sensors, signals and autonomy, which includes unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned autonomous systems. Our research is world leading and our staff have an international reputation, recognised by our extensive contracts, funding and outputs. We shape, add breadth and question traditional approaches with the aim of influencing practice and policy and delivering a real-world impact. We are proud of our strong connections with the UK MOD, government, industry and business, and academia, and our work bridges the gap between the different sectors.
Why Join us?
• Industrial Collaboration: Each PhD student within the Hub is partnered with an industry collaborator, providing placement opportunities to work and train alongside industry experts
• Comprehensive Training: The Hub offers a blend of academic and industrial training, preparing you for diverse career pathways in research or industry
• Cohort Experience: Build your research network through inclusion in a vibrant cohort of PhD students that conduct research with academic leaders across leading UK institutions. Engage in online and face-to-face activities, including cohort-building events and collaborative learning exercises
• Funding: A generous fully funded studentship (no fees and a monthly personal payment) with additional support for conferences, travel, training, consumables and extended placement with industry collaborators.
Funding Notes
The generous funding package includes full tuition fees and an enhanced stipend of £24,780 per annum. Additional support is available for conference attendance, specialised training, travel to industrial partners, and extended placements with industry collaborators. This studentship is open to UK Nationals and is available for home students only.
The industrial partner, QinetiQ, is a major international company with interests in RF sensing and energy transfer technologies. The partner will provide PhD supervision, a placement and be part of the larger Hub community benefiting in the diverse academic and industrial. Please check the hub website for further details: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/energy-transfer-skills-training-hub
At a glance
- Application deadline27 May 2026
- Award type(s)PhD
- Start date05 Oct 2026
- Duration of award4 years
- EligibilityUK
- Reference numberCRAN-0055
Entry requirements
Applicants should have an equivalent of first or second-class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline, engineering or science (materials science/physics).
The candidate should be self-motivated, have good communication skills for regular interaction with other stakeholders, with an interest for industrial research.
Funding
PhD Candidates must hold a minimum of an upper Second-Class UK Honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant science or engineering discipline. Candidates must be UK Nationals and be willing to apply for and able to obtain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.
Diversity and Inclusion at Cranfield
We are committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in our CDT program, and warmly encourage applications from students of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. We particularly welcome students with disabilities, neurodiverse individuals, and those who identify with diverse ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses. Cranfield strives to provide an accessible and inclusive environment to enable all doctoral candidates to thrive and achieve their full potential.
At Cranfield, we value our diverse staff and student community and maintain a culture where everyone can work and study together harmoniously with dignity and respect. This is reflected in our University values of ambition, impact, respect and community. We welcome students and staff from all backgrounds from over 100 countries and support our staff and students to realise their full potential, from academic achievement to mental and physical wellbeing.
We are committed to progressing the diversity and inclusion agenda, for example; gender diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through our Athena SWAN Bronze award and action plan, we are members of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) and Working Families, and sponsors of International Women in Engineering Day. We are also Disability Confident Level 1 Employers and members of the Business Disability Forum and Stonewall University Champions Programme.
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: Professor Alessio Balleri
Email: a.balleri@cranfield.ac.uk
If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the online application form.
Please note that applications will be reviewed as they are received. Therefore, we encourage early submission, as the position may be filled before the stated deadline.
