Research Fellow in AI-Enabled Flight Deck Systems Integration and Validation

Cranfield University; Cranfield; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Cranfield University in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, invites applications for a Research Fellow in AI-Enabled Flight Deck Systems Integration and Validation. The role combines AI, flight dynamics, and real-time simulation to create an integrated assistant for pilots, tested in our research flight simulator.

The successful candidate will hold a PhD in aerospace engineering or related field, be proficient in C#, C++, or Python, and have Unity experience.

Qualifications

• PhD in aerospace engineering or related field.
• Proficient in programming languages (C#, C++, Python) with Unity experience.
• Solid understanding of AI/ML to integrate and test software.
• Publication record and ability to collaborate with industry and academia.

Responsibilities

• Build the software platform and automated tests for integrated AI flight-deck system.
• Set up flight scenarios and run simulator trials with pilots.
• Manage daily operation of the simulator laboratory and publish results.
• Collaborate with project partners across organisations.

Skills

C#

C++

Python

Unity

AI/ML basics

Education

PhD in aerospace engineering or related field

Job description

Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Aerospace and Aviation

Research Fellow in AI-Enabled Flight Deck Systems Integration and Validation

Fixed Term Contract for 37 months or until 30 April 2030, whichever is sooner

Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £38,655 to £46,492 per annum, with potential progression up to £53,108 per annum

Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire

Help us bring four strands of AI research together into one working flight-deck assistant, and test it with airline pilots in our research flight simulator.

About the Role

TRUST-IA is a research project funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme and coordinated by Cranfield, with university partners in Germany and France, and Rolls-Royce. It is developing an intelligent assistant to help airline pilots manage the engines, both in normal flight and when an engine fails. The assistant has four parts, each developed by a different partner: software that decides how the assistant should behave; monitoring of aircraft and engine condition; monitoring of the pilots; workload and trust from physiological and behavioural measures; and interaction through voice, gesture and mixed reality.

You will bring these parts together in Cranfield's Future Systems Simulator. You will build the software platform and automated tests that let them run as one system in real time, set up the flight scenarios, and run simulator trials with pilots to show that the integrated assistant works and is safe to use. You will also manage the day-to-day running of the simulator laboratory and publish the results.

About You

You will have a PhD in aerospace engineering or a related engineering subject, or equivalent research experience, and a background in aircraft modelling and simulation, flight dynamics or flight control. You will be a capable programmer (for example in C#, C++ or Python), and experience with Unity would be a real advantage. You will need enough understanding of artificial intelligence and machine learning to integrate and test AI software written by others. Experience of running simulator trials with pilots would be useful but is not essential, as training will be given.

We are looking for someone with a good publication record for their career stage, who is well organised, enjoys working with industry and university partners, and is willing to take responsibility for a shared research facility.

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield's world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

The Centre for Aeronautics, Propulsion and Power has been at the heart of aerospace research and education at Cranfield University since 1946. Its staff and researchers work across aircraft design, aerodynamics, flight dynamics, propulsion and sustainable power, with large-scale experimental facilities and long-standing links with industry. Our flight dynamics and simulation work covers fixed-wing, rotorcraft and eVTOL aircraft, and draws on the University's research flight simulators, its own airport, and the National Flying Laboratory Centre. Find out more about our work here.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

Closing date for receipt of applications: 22 November 2026

Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert prior to the stated closing date should we receive sufficient numbers of applications. Therefore, we would encourage you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.