Postgraduate research opportunities Digital twin development for advanced rocket propulsion systems
ApplyKey facts
- Opens: Wednesday 29 October 2025
- Deadline: Friday 14 November 2025
- Number of places: 1
- Duration: 42 months
- Funding: Home fee, Stipend, Travel costs
Overview
Develop a Digital Twin framework for Skyrora’s rocket engines, integrating real-time data, control feedback, and test history to enable predictive diagnostics, test automation, and performance optimisation - advancing propulsion testing, system monitoring, and data-driven decision-making for future launch vehicle qualificationEligibility
This studentship is open to UK applicants only.
You should have a Masters degree or equivalent in aerospace or mechanical engineering, applied maths, applied physics or another relevant discipline. You must also be able to demonstrate an interest in engineering, and the space sector. Experience in rocketry is desirable.
Project Details
The start date for this opportunity is January 2026.
Rocketry, Research, Teaching and Training (R2T2) is a UKSA-funded doctoral training programme dedicated to academic research in rocket propulsion, with an emphasis on the acquisition of the practical skills required to pursue a career in the launch industry. R2T2 PhD programmes are already underway at nine UK universities, and the programme overall is centred on the Westcott facility where it co-locates with the UK Race2Space programme.
Each R2T2 studentship is associated with an industrial partner active in the launch industry, and provides full funding and stipend, an extensive training programme in respect of industry-specific skills, and access to hotfire facilities at Westcott, Machrihanish, and elsewhere. Our staff will help you build and fire your first engine, and then support you in executing your own hotfire at one of our test sites such that you can obtain the data you need to complete your PhD programme.
This PhD project offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the future of space propulsion by developing a Digital Twin framework for an advanced rocket engine programmes. The successful candidate will work at the interface between aerospace engineering, systems modelling, and data-driven control, helping to transform how rocket engine testing and performance optimisation are conducted. The project will be conducted in collaboration with Skyrora Ltd, a leading UK space company developing small satellite launch vehicles.
The aim of the research is to create a scalable digital ecosystem that integrates real-time sensor data, control system feedback, and historical test performance to deliver predictive, automated, and data-rich insights across Skyrora’s 70 kN and 400 kN propulsion systems.
Key objectives
- develop and validate a Digital Twin architecture for Skyrora’s propulsion test facilities and engine programmes
- integrate real-time monitoring, environmental modelling, and control system data into the Digital Twin for enhanced situational awareness
- enable predictive diagnostics, test automation, and data-driven decision-making through advanced modelling, simulation, and AI techniques
- contribute to long-term improvements in test efficiency, asset management, and system reliability
- design the framework as a scalable platform applicable to future vehicle- and stage-level testing and qualification campaigns
Further information
Funding details
The project is funded as one of part of the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) on Rocketry Research, Teaching, and Training (R2T2), funded by the UKSA, UKRI and STFC.
Funding is available to cover tuition fees for UK/home applicants for up to 4 years, a stipend at the UK Research Council rate (£20,780 for 2025/26 and rising in line with UKRI levels in subsequent sessions) and a generous Research Training and Support grant.
While there is no funding in place for opportunities marked "unfunded", there are lots of different options to help you fund postgraduate research. Visit funding your postgraduate research for links to government grants, research councils funding and more, that could be available.
Apply
To apply for this position, please email the following supporting documents to Dr Christie Maddock (christie.maddock@strath.ac.uk) with R2T2 CDT Cohort 2 Application in the subject.
- CV, including experience in rocketry, student competitions and membership in student societies linked to the space sector
- supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research, and any relevant research or work experience including student competitions and internships
- final (or Interim) Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualification
Number of places: 1
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Contact us
Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Dr Christie Maddock, Senior Lecturer in Aerospace Transportation Systems at christie.maddock@strath.ac.uk