Integrating advanced source models for improved airport noise assessment

About the Project

Supervisory Team: Dr Sergi Palleja Cabre, Emeritus Professor Rod Self and Dr Daniel Constantinos Amargianitakis

This PhD project focuses on improving aircraft noise prediction for emerging technologies at early design stages. It involves developing whole-aircraft noise models, incorporating operational factors and fleet-level scenarios. The research supports Rolls-Royce’s noise prediction systems and informs certification standards and airport noise policies.

These PhD projects will be hosted within the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) in Propulsion Systems Noise at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) at the University of Southampton. The UTC is a world-leading hub for aeroacoustics research, offering close collaboration with the Rolls-Royce noise engineering team. This provides a unique opportunity to contribute to real-world challenges and make a tangible impact on the future of quieter, more sustainable aviation.

This PhD project focuses on advancing noise prediction and mitigation methods for emerging aircraft technologies, including next-generation gas turbine architectures and propeller-based propulsion systems. A key challenge is estimating noise emissions during the conceptual design phase, where trade-offs between noise and performance are often overlooked. The project will build on ongoing research at ISVR to adapt existing scaling laws for different noise sources, ensuring their relevance to novel aircraft configurations. It will also involve developing whole-aircraft noise models that incorporate operational characteristics such as take-off profiles, power requirements, and flight trajectories. These models will be extended to fleet-level scenarios, enabling assessment of noise impacts across various aircraft categories and compositions. The aviation industry stands at a pivotal moment, with disruptive concepts such as UltraFan and RISE redefining the future of flight.

This PhD places you at the forefront of that transformation, shaping the next generation of sustainable propulsion. You will benefit from a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment at 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. PhD candidates will have opportunities to attend international conferences, workshops, and training events, and to engage with a global network of researchers and industry experts.

The successful candidate will automatically become part of the wider Rolls-Royce Doctorate Network, connecting with researchers across different fields who are all working toward the future of sustainable aviation. You will have the opportunity to gain advanced training, broaden your perspective, and build professional networks that will strengthen your future career development.

You will also 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

You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent in one of the following or related disciplines:

• maths
• physics
• an engineering subject

It is advantageous to have some experience in aerospace engineering, particularly in flight mechanics, aircraft operations or aeroacoustics.

Coding experience in MATLAB or Python is also advantageous.

The successful candidate will be part of the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) in Propulsion Systems Noise. This requires BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) checks and agreement to existing UTC IP control procedures.

Fees and funding

This PhD position is fully funded for UK nationals and students from the EU and Horizon Europe-associated countries. Horizon Europe fee waivers automatically cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students.

The studentship, sponsored by Rolls-Royce, includes tuition fees and a base stipend for living costs for 3.5 years of at least £20,780 per year, plus an enhancement.

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

For more information, please visit postgraduate research funding pages.

How to apply

Apply now

You need to:

• choose programme type (Research), 2026/27, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
• select Full time or Part time
• search for programme PhD Engineering & the Environment (7175)
• add name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application

Applications should include:

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