Digital-twinning of electric propulsion systems

Applications are invited for the above multiple research studentships to join the Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) research group at the University of Nottingham.  The PEMC group has undergone a significant period of growth and now has over 150 members, with 18 academics - including 7 full professors - and approximately 120 PhD students and post-doctoral research fellows. The group has excellent facilities for experimental work including approximately 2500m² of research space and a construction and testing capability up to 5MW.

The successful candidate will conduct research within a team focusing on innovative electric propulsion systems for future de-carbonised, green aircraft and will support delivery of one of our new flagship EU-funded project, the €40M NEWBORN “NExt generation high poWer fuel cells for airBORNe applications” project.

PhD project description

We are inviting talented students to join the team to develop a real-time digital twin of the fuel-cell electric propulsion system. The tasks of this PhD include:

• Real-time digital twin technology review to understand this technology and its recent development for electrical engineering application
• Real-time simulation platform skills development including Typhoon and SpeedGoat
• Development of real-time digital twin (physical or Artificial Intelligent based) of electric propulsion system including propulsion motors, power converters, fuel cell and batteries etc within the real-time simulation platform
• Training the development digital-twin using real-time data from hardware available
• Electrical power level studies with developed digital twin to identify visible solutions for distribution electric propulsion

Funding

This is a fully funded PhD studentship. Please contact Professor Tao Yang (IET Fellow and Industrial Fellow of Royal Academic of Engineering) for more information including funding opportunities. Full international funding is available for excellent students. 

Candidate requirements

• Exceptionally motivated and first-class students with a strong academic background in one or more of the following areas: Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science - with a focus on AI/ML or systems modelling - with good electrical engineering knowledge
• First-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline
• A Master’s degree with distinction will be highly advantageous

Eligibility and how to apply

• These positions are available for UK and international candidates
• Project start date: October 2025, running for 3.5 years - subject to satisfactory progress 
• Closing date for applications: 28 March 2025
• Please apply here. When applying for this studentship please include the supervisors name within the personal statement section of the application. This will help in ensuring your application is sent directly to the academic advertising the studentship

The university actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.