Community noise prediction for eVTOL aircraft

The Advanced Air Mobility sector is growing rapidly through the development of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and other novel aerial vehicles. However, community noise remains a major barrier to their widespread acceptance and deployment.

This project will focus on the transition between vertical and forward flight, which is characterised by highly transient aerodynamic and aeroacoustic phenomena that can significantly influence both overall noise levels and sound quality. You will develop and extend reduced-order noise-source models for eVTOL aircraft during transitional manoeuvres.

Laboratory-scale experiments and outdoor flight-test data will be used to investigate the dominant noise-generation mechanisms and establish scalable prediction methods. These source models will then be incorporated into whole-aircraft noise prediction tools to assess community exposure and perceived sound quality.

The project will also investigate quieter operating strategies. Artificial intelligence or machine-learning methods may be used to support trajectory optimisation that reduces community noise while accounting for relevant aircraft and operational constraints.

In partnership with ARUP, the project will incorporate full-scale acoustic measurements from operational aircraft, providing validation data and benchmarks for the modelling approaches.

You will benefit from a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR), with access to state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant postgraduate community. The University of Southampton is internationally recognised for its excellence in acoustics and aerospace research.

You will have opportunities to attend international conferences, workshops, and training events, and to engage with a global network of researchers and industry experts.

You will have access to the full range of postgraduate development courses offered by the University of Southampton's Doctoral College, covering academic writing, presentation skills, project management, and public engagement.

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Applicants should have, or expect to obtain, a UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent in engineering, physics, applied mathematics, computer science or a related discipline.

Experience in aerospace engineering, particularly flight mechanics, aircraft operations or aeroacoustics, would be advantageous but not essential. Programming experience in MATLAB or Python, or an interest in optimisation, artificial intelligence or machine learning, would also be useful.

You do not need experience of every method described above. Training will be provided, and we value curiosity, collaboration, persistence and a willingness to learn. We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from women and other groups under-represented in research. All appointments will be made on merit.

We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students. Horizon Europe fee waivers automatically cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students.

Competition-based Presidential Bursaries from the University cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants.

Competition-based studentships offered by our schools typically cover UK-level tuition fees and a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants.

Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

For more information, please visit our postgraduate research funding pages.

How to apply

Please apply via the online portal and select:

• Academic year: 2027/28
• If you will be full time or part time
• Faculty: Engineering and Physical Sciences Search for programme PhD Engineering & the Environment (7175)

Please add the name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application.

Applications should include:

• your CV (resumé)
• 2 academic references
• degree transcripts/ certificates to date
• English language qualification (if applicable)

For questions about applying, please contact our Doctoral College: doctoralcollege-admissions@soton.ac.uk

For an initial conversation, please contact the project leader (Dr Sergi Palleja-Cabre) at: S.Palleja-Cabre@soton.ac.uk

The School of Engineering is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.