Project Description:

Applications are invited for an exciting and dynamic PhD studentship in Atmospheric Dynamics for High-Altitude Autonomous Platforms, working with Dr Neil Hindley at the University of Bath’s Centre for Climate, Adaptation and Environment Research (CAER).

The successful student will be part of STRAT-NAV, a £2m research project exploring how atmospheric gravity waves (also known as buoyancy waves) can extend the flight times of high-altitude platform systems (HAPS) operating in the stratosphere. Just as gliders soar on waves in the lower atmosphere, stratospheric HAPS can reduce their power consumption by navigating through gravity wave updrafts, avoiding downdrafts and dangerous regions of turbulence.

The student will learn and apply km-scale meteorological modelling, atmospheric wave dynamics, optimal routing methods and field observations to enable HAPS platforms to accurately predict, navigate to and soar on gravity waves.

The student will have the opportunity to take part in a UK field campaign with balloon observations to validate their model predictions, apply their gravity wave routing algorithms in real HAPS field tests, travel to conferences and project meetings both nationally and internationally and collaborate closely with project partners including British Antarctic Survey, Limosaero, SkySight and Radical Aero.

STRAT-NAV is part of the wider UK ARIA Enduring Atmospheric Platforms research programme, which explores the opportunity space for high-altitude autonomous atmospheric platforms operating in the stratosphere as part of an effective and economical UK communications network.

Applicant Requirements:

The successful student is likely to have a background in Physics, Maths, Meteorology, Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.

Strong programming and computational skills, including ideally Python and/or MATLAB, some familiarity with high-performance computing and handling large datasets, would be an advantage.

Applicants must have, or be about to obtain, a UK Honours degree 1st or 2.1, or international equivalent. A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.

Non-UK applicants must meet the programme’s English language requirement.

Enquiries

Informal enquiries are encouraged. Direct these to Dr Neil Hindley - nh351@bath.ac.uk

Application Instructions

Apply here

This research is based within the University of Bath's Centre for Climate Adaptation and Environment Research (CAER), which crosses several departments.

For administrative purposes, applicants must apply using the application form for a PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering. However, the successful student will work in an interdisciplinary research team with Physicists, Mathematicians and Atmospheric Scientists.

In the ‘Funding Your Studies’ section, you should select ‘Other' from the dropdown menu and quote 'ARIA studentship' in the free text box.

In the ‘Your PhD project’ section, you must quote the project title in the PhD project title field, and you must quote the lead supervisor’s name in the field ‘Name of intended supervisor at University of Bath.’ Failure to complete these steps will cause errors in the automated processing of your application and may mean that you are not considered.

This project will ideally commence on 28 September 2026 but a later start may be possible for the right candidate.

This advert may close once a suitable candidate is identified. Early application is therefore encouraged.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We value a diverse research environment and strive to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We encourage applications from under-represented groups.

If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.

The Disability Service ensures that individuals with disabilities are provided the support that they need. If you state if your application that you have a disability, the Disability Service will contact you as part of this process to discuss your needs.

Keywords

Atmospheric dynamics, atmospheric modelling, numerical weather prediction, HAPS, UAVs, gravity waves

Project Description:

Applications are invited for an exciting and dynamic PhD studentship in Atmospheric Dynamics for High-Altitude Autonomous Platforms, working with Dr Neil Hindley at the University of Bath’s Centre for Climate, Adaptation and Environment Research (CAER).

The successful student will be part of STRAT-NAV, a £2m research project exploring how atmospheric gravity waves (also known as buoyancy waves) can extend the flight times of high-altitude platform systems (HAPS) operating in the stratosphere. Just as gliders soar on waves in the lower atmosphere, stratospheric HAPS can reduce their power consumption by navigating through gravity wave updrafts, avoiding downdrafts and dangerous regions of turbulence.

The student will learn and apply km-scale meteorological modelling, atmospheric wave dynamics, optimal routing methods and field observations to enable HAPS platforms to accurately predict, navigate to and soar on gravity waves.

The student will have the opportunity to take part in a UK field campaign with balloon observations to validate their model predictions, apply their gravity wave routing algorithms in real HAPS field tests, travel to conferences and project meetings both nationally and internationally and collaborate closely with project partners including British Antarctic Survey, Limosaero, SkySight and Radical Aero.

STRAT-NAV is part of the wider UK ARIA Enduring Atmospheric Platforms research programme, which explores the opportunity space for high-altitude autonomous atmospheric platforms operating in the stratosphere as part of an effective and economical UK communications network.

Applicant Requirements:

The successful student is likely to have a background in Physics, Maths, Meteorology, Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.

Strong programming and computational skills, including ideally Python and/or MATLAB, some familiarity with high-performance computing and handling large datasets, would be an advantage.

Applicants must have, or be about to obtain, a UK Honours degree 1st or 2.1, or international equivalent. A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.

Non-UK applicants must meet the programme’s English language requirement.

Enquiries

Informal enquiries are encouraged. Direct these to Dr Neil Hindley - nh351@bath.ac.uk

Application Instructions

Apply here

This research is based within the University of Bath's Centre for Climate Adaptation and Environment Research (CAER), which crosses several departments.

For administrative purposes, applicants must apply using the application form for a PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering. However, the successful student will work in an interdisciplinary research team with Physicists, Mathematicians and Atmospheric Scientists.

In the ‘Funding Your Studies’ section, you should select ‘Other' from the dropdown menu and quote 'ARIA studentship' in the free text box.

In the ‘Your PhD project’ section, you must quote the project title in the PhD project title field, and you must quote the lead supervisor’s name in the field ‘Name of intended supervisor at University of Bath.’ Failure to complete these steps will cause errors in the automated processing of your application and may mean that you are not considered.

This project will ideally commence on 28 September 2026 but a later start may be possible for the right candidate.

This advert may close once a suitable candidate is identified. Early application is therefore encouraged.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We value a diverse research environment and strive to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We encourage applications from under-represented groups.

If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.

The Disability Service ensures that individuals with disabilities are provided the support that they need. If you state if your application that you have a disability, the Disability Service will contact you as part of this process to discuss your needs.

Keywords

Atmospheric dynamics, atmospheric modelling, numerical weather prediction, HAPS, UAVs, gravity waves