PhD Studentship: Experimental Investigation of Aircraft Contrail Formation

About the role

This fully funded PhD studentship, supported by a Leverhulme Trust Research Project, investigates the physical mechanisms behind aircraft contrail formation, which is one of the least understood yet most climate-relevant impacts of aviation. The project combines laboratory experiments with high-fidelity numerical modelling to study vapour-liquid-solid phase transitions in aircraft exhaust plumes, with relevance to low-soot propulsion technologies such as sustainable aviation fuels and hydrogen. It is based in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge.

Key responsibilities

• Investigate early contrail formation in a dedicated facility that generates contrail-relevant exhaust flows by injecting a high-speed moist jet into a controlled, cold environment.
• Develop and apply advanced optical and laser-based diagnostics to characterise condensation, freezing and particle populations in the evolving plume.
• Work closely with numerical simulations to compare experiments with CFD results and interpret the measured processes.

Required profile

• A good 2.1 degree in Engineering or a closely related subject, or expected by the start date.
• Strong interest in experimental fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.
• Prior experience in multiphase and particle-laden flows is welcome but not required.
• Experience with laboratory instrumentation, data acquisition or optical diagnostics is desirable but not essential.
• Good written and spoken English.

Required skills

• Familiarity with coding or data analysis tools such as MATLAB, Python or LabVIEW is an advantage.

What we offer

• A 3-year studentship fully funded for home students, including tuition fees and a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate.
• Expected start date of 1 October 2027.

Applications are made through the University of Cambridge Applicant Portal, with Dr Katharina Tegethoff named as potential supervisor, and must include a CV, academic transcripts and a brief statement of motivation and background. The closing date is 31 December 2026; applications may close early if the position is filled. There is a £20 application fee for using the portal.