"PhD Studentship: Miniaturised RF Transceiver for Tomography Technology enabling Novel inflight dynamic O/F control of rocket propulsion systems"

Kingston University has developed and pioneered the use of innovative technologies in recent years that we hope will have a significant impact on the space and launch propulsion sectors building expertise and international recognition in this area. This includes the development of Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) techniques to measure the internal combustion and regression of a hybrid propellant space propulsion systems.

A significant limiting factor of hybrid propulsion systems is the continuous change in surface area of the propellant grain during the combustion process. This changing O/F mixture ratio has an impact on the performance of the hybrid propellant propulsion system making it hard to optimise. Work at Kingston University has been on the development of imaging techniques using Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) to study the combustion processes of hybrid propellant propulsion systems. To perform inflight tests using the ECT as hardware in the loop to control O/F ratios in a hybrid propulsion system a rugged miniaturised version of the high speed electronics needs to be developed with additional development of microwave Ka band RF transceivers. The associated real-time computing and analysis of data will enable the development of control mechanisms that will overcome one of the major barriers for exploiting the benefits of hybrid propellant propulsion systems.

The project supports European Engineering & Consultancy Ltd. strategic roadmap in the development of a miniature microwave-based RF communication system. A key technology is the crystal oscillator, which is sensitive to vibrations causing communication system to ‘lose their locking’ and prevent such a system from functioning properly. The flight ECT development is a fantastic testbed to develop these technologies for the company, which will open new markets and opportunities.

This PhD covers a wide range of skills and so it is essential the candidate has a 1st degree in electrical engineering or equivalent experience (if applying directly from industry) and can demonstrate through other projects or experiences knowledge across the disciplines of electronics, software development and RF communication. An interest in rocketry and/or prior experience with space propulsion systems will be seen as an advantage but is not essential.

This PhD studentship is part of the Rocketry Research, Teaching, and Training (R2T2) program and is an integrated doctoral programme, run across eight UK universities, which seeks to provide the opportunity to pursue a PhD in space launch technologies. Please see r2t2.org.uk for further details.

For further details and to discuss a prospective application, please contact Dr Peter Shaw and/or Dr Kevin Munisami. This is for enquiries only, applications should be sent to the 'Apply' link above.

Eligibility: UK nationals only. First Class degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering or a related discipline; a Masters degree in these subjects would be seen as an advantage. In addition, applicants will need to show they are willing to nurture an interest in the launch and space propulsion sector if selected.

Start date: 1 December 2025, 4 years full-time. Interviews: online on 20 October 2025.