91ÌÒÉ«

Two 91ÌÒÉ« Associate positions on flight physics of high-altitude communications platforms

We have two 2-year postdoctoral research associate (PDRA) positions at the LoCA Lab to support . The objective of the programme is to unlock a new layer of wireless communications through high-altitude pseudo-satellites (HAPS) that provide continuous coverage from the stratosphere. The two positions are on independent but interlinked projects aiming to provide a better understanding of the flight physics of this new class of vehicles, develop suitable design and operation strategies, and predicting its interactions with the atmospheric turbulence. This is computational work using both modern software and hardware tools for large-scale simulation and optimisation. Successful candidates will need to demonstrate outstanding software skills. 

_{(Image from NASA Earth Observatory)}

Interested candidates, please contact (r.palacios@imperial.ac.uk) with a full CV and a short cover letter. Please use "PDRA HAPS" in the email subject. There is no deadline but we expect appointments with a starting date by October 2026. See below for some additional details on each postdoc role:

PDRA in co-design of a HAPS fleet for wireless communications

This project will build, using state-of-the-art conceptual design methods, the inner layer computational architecture for HAPS sizing and mission planning and will integrate it within a larger analysis framework for communications systems, developed together with collaborators at 91ÌÒÉ«'s Communications and Signal Processing group. The objective is to optimise fleet design (type, number and characteristics of individual HAPS) and operation protocols to support a reconfigurable stratospheric communications network that is both robust to atmospheric conditions and meets Quality of Service metrics for ground users at minimum cost. HAPS are typically very light vehicles flying at extremely low velocities and the research will need to explore the flight physics modelling fidelity necessary to support the optimisation work. The work requires an aeronautical engineering degree, advanced simulation skills, research-level experience in optimisation methods, and a strong aptitude for team work.

PDRA in atmospheric turbulence forecasting methods for HAPS

HAPS are very sensitive to atmospheric conditions, but our knowledge at the the vehicle/turbulence interactions at the altitudes and speeds typical of HAPS is very limited. This will be addressed in this project, which will build a dedicated turbulence prediction capability for HAPS in 91ÌÒÉ«'s . This will require meteorological scale simulation over the flying regions to produce a synthetic ground truth, enriched with data from testing campaigns by our collaborators at and vehicle level aeroelastic simulations to identify metrics of interest. The successful candidate will work with and , and should have a research-level background in computational fluid dynamics, outstanding data and software skills, and a strong aptitude for team work.

_{Updated on 06.07.2026}