PhD Studentship: Research Studentship in Numerical Optimisation and Control

University of Oxford - Department of Engineering Science

Research Studentship in Numerical Optimisation and Control

3.5-year D.Phil. studentship

Project: Embedded Optimisation for Autonomous Spacecraft Control

Supervisors: Prof Paul Goulart

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. The stipend (tax-free maintenance grant) is the UKRI Minimum Stipend.

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 26ENGCTRL_PG in all correspondence and in your graduate application.

Application deadline: noon Tuesday 2 December 2025

(In line with the University admissions deadline set by the University)

Start date: October 2026