Lateral Tyre Friction Coefficient on Contaminated Runways PhD

The Advanced Vehicle Engineering Centre is looking for a PhD candidate to join our tyre dynamics research team. The aim of the research is to develop an understanding of aircraft tyre force and moment generation limitations on contaminated surfaces. The research will use advanced simulation techniques to predict the force and moment generation capability of aircraft tyres operating where contamination persists between the rubber and the ground surface. The research will create advanced simulations that can enable more accurate prediction of ground handling behaviour of aircraft. This research project is fully funded by Airbus and the EPSRC.

This PhD project is in the area of tyre dynamics related to aerospace, simulation and mechanical analysis

Aims to advance the understanding of the fundamental Tyre contact mechanics under different runway conditions, and to determine whether there is a relationship between lateral and longitudinal friction coefficients. The study will involve developing models and build bench tests of tyre friction cases to demonstrate the relationship between lateral and longitudinal friction coefficient on aircraft.

This project is sponsored by EPSCR and Airbus Operations Ltd.

The project will help define future activity, in relation to the ground handling behaviour of aircraft on contaminated surfaces. The industrial sponsor will use the results from the study to advise discussions with regulation authorities with respect to the predicted forces and moments from aircraft tyres on contaminated runways

Cranfield has a long heritage of work in the area of aircraft tyre dynamics, and unique test rigs which can be made available to the project.

The successful candidate will develop a deep understanding of advanced simulation methods of aircraft tyres, aircraft tyre-ground interation and aircrfat groud handling. This will be applicable to a wide range of applications in the future. You will have access to the existing records of flight tests as well as specific tests to be defined to identify the model. Airbus Operations Ltd., will offer 3 months’ worth of placement to the PhD student.

At a glance

Application deadline02 Sep 2026
Award type(s)PhD
Start date02 Nov 2026
Duration of award4 years (full-time)
EligibilityUK, EU, Rest of world
Reference numberCRAN-0106

Supervisor

1st supervisor: Prof. James Brighton
2nd supervisor: Dr Marzio Grasso

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. The project would suit a candidate with experience of CAE simulation methods including FEA and SPH, or multiphics modelling approaches. Tyres are highly non-linear largely visco-elastic structures so very interesting to study from a fundamental perspective.

Funding

Sponsored by EPSRC, Airbus Operations Ltd. and Cranfield University, this studentship will provide a bursary of up to £25,000 (tax free) plus fees for four years.

This studentship is open to both Home and Overseas fee status students, however we are only permitted to offer a limited number of studentships to students with Overseas fee status. Eligibility for Home fee status is determined with reference to UK Department for Education rules. As a guiding principle UK or Irish nationals who are ordinarily resident in either the UK or Republic of Ireland pay Home tuition fees. All other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees. Further advice can be found on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.

Sharing data
UKRI would like to have a better understanding of the students its training provision attracts and supports. Diversity information on all applicants/recruits applying for UKRI funded studentships will be shared with UKRI. The data will be aggregated and will not be shared as individual data or used to report on individuals or specific universities. The data will be used to analyse general trends in student populations across UKRI's portfolio.

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.

About the sponsor

This project is sponsord by EPSCR and Airbus Operations Ltd.

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, identify opportunities for collaboration and create smaller communities of practice. It aims to encourage an effective and vibrant research culture, founded upon the diversity of activities and knowledge.

Doctoral Researchers’ Core Development (DRCD) Programme

An important part of the research journey is developing key skills that will benefit a research students research and professional development. As a research student at Cranfield, you will be expected to attend the DRCD programme which comprises of four 1 week units which cover the key stages of your research journey. Workshops are held face to face, providing the opportunity for you to network and collaborate with your peers during these valuable development sessions. For further details visit Cranfield's Doctoral Network.