Novel fuel system architectures to enable the ultra-efficient gas turbine heat management system - PhD

The CDT in Net Zero Aviation is the world’s first Centre of Excellence for Net Zero Aviation Education, Training & Research, delivering impactful industrial and academic partnerships, future-proof skills, innovation, and leadership to achieve Net Zero Aviation by 2050.

Ultra‑efficient gas turbine engines expected to enter service over the next 5–10 years will require fundamentally new fuel system architectures capable of managing significantly higher and more complex thermal loads. Future systems must accommodate heat rejection not only from the engine itself but also from airframe‑level electrical systems, low‑temperature high‑heat oil systems, and electrified accessory drives. This project is intended to perform a comprehensive assessment of the challenges arise from the novel heat management system inputs to the fuel system and identify a range of fuel system architectures to best manage them, while considering limitations around hot fuel coking and cold fuel icing.

This research will deliver validated tools and guidelines for defining and designing a range of fuel system architectures suited to ultra efficient engines, ensuring they are optimised for both performance and operability. A central aim is to enable rapid system design and characterisation within a modelling environment, reducing iteration time and supporting right first-time development.

This position is part of the CDT in Net Zero Aviation, which offers a modular, cohort-based training programme with emphasis on innovation and impact, collaborative working and learning, continuous development, active engagement with partners and stakeholders and inclusion of student-led activities. You will be part of an annual cohort and will receive training at different universities and industrial partners providing world-class facilities in a supportive, innovative, inclusive and interactive learning environment. 

Based at Cranfield University, a global leader in aerospace research, the project benefits from world-class experimental facilities in hydrogen testing and expertise in materials science and hydrogen technologies. The industrial sponsor, Rolls‑Royce has committed to becoming a net‑zero carbon business by 2050, with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) forming a key pillar of its strategy. In parallel, the company is developing a geared engine targeting a 25% efficiency improvement over 2020 entry‑into‑service engines—an ambition that pushes thermal‑management requirements to the limits, due to the inclusion of a gear-box and more electric technologies.

This research will develop validated tools and design guidelines for future fuel system architectures tailored to ultra efficient engines, optimising both performance and operability. A key objective is to enable rapid system design and characterisation within a modelling environment, reducing iteration time and supporting right first time development. Its outcomes are expected to contribute to aviation’ s decarbonisation pathway by reducing development time, cost, and risk for new technologies, strengthening collaboration between engine and aircraft OEMs, and enabling deeper integration across the aerospace ecosystem.

While working on this exciting research project, you will be provided with:

• A fully funded 4 year full-time PhD - £25,183 tax-free stipend per year 
• Attendance/presentations to international and national conferences with expenses fully covered 
• Cohort and individual modular training covering technical, research, professional and personal development
• Minimum of 3 months fully funded industrial placement 
• Industrial supervision/mentorship scheme  
• Access to 40 industrial, government & research partners from the wider aviation sector 
• Access to world class research and education facilities   

The student will gain significant insight in numerical methods, performance engineering and engine operation. Given the multidisciplinary nature of the research, the goal is to train a highly skilled researcher who can act as an effective point of contact between diverse specialists, including thermos-fluids engineers, pump designers, control engineers, software engineers, performance analysts and system architects. Close collaboration with Rolls‑Royce as the industrial partner will further strengthen the student’s transferable skills, particularly in technical communication, research management and stakeholder engagement. Access to industrial data for model validation will also build valuable capabilities in data handling and data analytics, both of which are increasingly essential in the modern aerospace sector.