Research Studentship in Numerical Optimisation and Control
Research Studentship in Numerical Optimisation and Control
3.5-year DPhil studentship
Project: Embedded Optimisation for Autonomous Spacecraft Control
Supervisor: Prof Paul Goulart
About the Project
The project will develop autonomous on-board guidance algorithms for space missions using open-source numerical solvers for convex optimisation developed at the University of Oxford. The focus will be on designing and implementing an embedded optimisation algorithm on representative hardware platforms to demonstrate feasibility and real-time performance.
The primary application will be autonomous 6-DoF Moon landing, with opportunities to extend the work to in-orbit servicing missions, transfers from low Earth orbit (LEO) to lunar orbit, lunar surface operations, and interplanetary trajectories beyond the Moon.
This project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to both theoretical algorithm design and practical deployment in aerospace systems.
Eligibility
This studentship is funded through an industrial collaboration with Airbus UK and is open to Home fees status students only (full award – home fees plus stipend).
Award Value
Course fees are covered at the level set for Home students c. £10,070 p.a. The stipend (tax-free maintenance grant) is c. £20,780 p.a. for the first year, and at least this amount for a further two and a half years.
Candidate Requirements
Prospective candidates will be judged according to how well they meet the following criteria:
- A first class or strong upper second-class undergraduate honours degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science or Physics
- Excellent English written and spoken communication skills
The following skills are desirable but not essential:
- Background in control engineering and/or numerical optimisation
- Interest in embedded systems or real-time autonomous applications
- Programming experience in a compiled language (e.g. C, C++, Rust)
Application Procedure
Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be addressed to Prof Paul Goulart (paul.goulart@eng.ox.ac.uk). Candidates must submit a graduate application form and are expected to meet the graduate admissions criteria. Details are available on the course page of the University website.
Please quote 25ENGCTRL_PG in all correspondence and in your graduate application.