PhD and Post-Doc positions for Advanced Launcher Control

The Advanced Generation European Carrier Rocket (VEGA) is an expendable launch system operated by Arianespace and jointly developed by the Italian Space Agency and the European Space Agency (ESA), with prime contractor ELV (Italy).
VEGA is specifically designed to provide a cost-effective solution for scientific and Earth observation missions in polar and LEO orbits (i.e. for satellites between 300 to 2500 kg).
Three successful VEGA flights have proven the versatility and maturity of the vehicle and of the control design but in order to consolidate the advances in the highly competitive satellite launcher market it is required to evolve towards a more flexible design.
A PhD and a Post-Doctoral position are available at the Aerospace Engineering Department of the University of Bristol. The study will look at Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) and Adaptive control approaches to provide the necessary lay work (tools and results) required towards their future integration in ELV´s control design cycle.
The study is participated by ESA-ESTEC (Netherlands), ELV (Italy) and the University of Bristol (United Kingdom). As such, it will include stays at ESA-ESTEC and ELV in order to closely work with the control experts in charge of VEGA control design.
The following requirements and technical capabilities are necessary for the post:

• European nationality
• A recognized engineering degree (Aerospace, Electrical, or Mechanical)
• Solid mathematical foundation
• Good knowledge of classical control and estimation techniques
• Mastery of at least one modern control technique (e.g. robust, adaptive …)
• Excellent knowledge of Matlab/Simulink and good programming skills
• Good level of English, spoken as well as written

The PhD position includes tuition fees, a tax-free stipend of approximately £14,000 p.a. plus travel/consumables budget. The Post-Doctoral position is initially for one-year and follows standard UK grade salary spines (commensurate with the candidate’s experience).

Contact information: Dr. Andrés Marcos
andres.marcos@bristol.ac.uk ( add to the email subject: UoB-AME VEGA position )