The Doctoral Student in Minimal Climate Impact Hydrogen Aircraft Design Scholarship 2026 is a fully funded PhD opportunity offered by the Division of Fluid Dynamics at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden. The project focuses on designing next-generation hydrogen-powered aircraft with minimal climate impact using advanced aerodynamics, optimization methods, and climate modeling.

This position is part of a larger excellence cluster on hydrogen for heavy transport solutions, with strong links to aerospace research and international collaboration.

About the Doctoral Student in Minimal Climate Impact Hydrogen Aircraft Design Scholarship

This PhD is hosted in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, specifically within the Division of Fluid Dynamics.

For the 2026 intake, the position:

  • Is a fully funded 4–5 year PhD (with teaching extension option)
  • Focuses on hydrogen aircraft design and climate-aware aviation systems
  • Combines aerodynamics, CFD, structural analysis, and atmospheric modeling
  • Uses multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) techniques
  • Is part of a hydrogen aviation research excellence cluster
  • Involves collaboration with international aerospace research partners
  • Includes both numerical simulation and aircraft conceptual design work

Research Focus

The project aims to reduce aviation’s environmental impact by designing cleaner aircraft systems.

Key research areas include:

  • Hydrogen-powered aircraft configurations
  • Aerodynamic shape and performance optimization
  • Multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO)
  • Climate impact modeling (including contrail formation)
  • CFD-based analysis of aircraft performance
  • Structural and propulsion system integration

The goal is to develop aircraft concepts that significantly reduce emissions and climate forcing effects of aviation.

Why Choose The Doctoral Student in Minimal Climate Impact Hydrogen Aircraft Design Scholarship?

This PhD is ideal for students interested in aerospace engineering, sustainability, and computational design.

At Chalmers University of Technology, candidates benefit from:

  • Advanced research in fluid dynamics and aerospace systems
  • Access to high-end CFD and aircraft design tools
  • Collaboration with international aerospace experts
  • Participation in a hydrogen aviation excellence cluster
  • Strong focus on climate-neutral transport technologies
  • Opportunities for publishing in top engineering journals

Doctoral Student in Minimal Climate Impact Hydrogen Aircraft Design Scholarship Summary

  • Host Country: Sweden
  • University: Chalmers University of Technology
  • Department: Mechanical Engineering (Division of Fluid Dynamics)
  • Position Type: Fully funded PhD (Doctoral student)
  • Field: Aerospace Engineering / Fluid Dynamics
  • Focus: Hydrogen aircraft design & climate impact reduction
  • Duration: 4 years (extendable to 5 with teaching duties)
  • Monthly Salary: ~35,725 SEK
  • Application Deadline: 25 June 2026

Benefits

Selected candidates receive:

  • Full salary-based PhD employment
  • Monthly salary of 35,725 SEK
  • Tuition-free doctoral education in Sweden
  • Access to advanced aerospace simulation tools
  • Participation in international research collaborations
  • Teaching opportunities (up to 20%)
  • Strong academic publication and conference support

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

  • Hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent 4-year Bachelor’s in some systems) in:
    • Aerospace Engineering
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Engineering Physics
    • Applied Mathematics
    • Related fields
  • Have experience in at least one:
    • Aircraft design
    • Aerodynamics
    • CFD
    • Propulsion systems
    • Multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO)
  • Strong motivation for international research collaboration
  • Good English communication skills

Preferred Skills

Candidates with the following will be preferred:

  • Experience in optimization methods and aircraft design
  • Familiarity with tools like:
    • OpenVSP
    • SUAVE
    • CFD simulation software
  • Experience in climate-aware aviation analysis
  • Prior research, publications, or industry collaboration
  • Background in aerospace simulation or design projects

Required Documents

Applicants must submit:

  • CV (academic + technical experience)
  • Personal motivation letter
  • Academic transcripts
  • Bachelor’s and Master’s theses (if available)
  • Research publications or project reports (if any)

Application Process & Timeline

  1. Prepare CV, motivation letter, and academic documents
  2. Submit an application through the Chalmers recruitment system
  3. Applications reviewed by the academic committee
  4. Shortlisted candidates are invited for interviews
  5. Final selection is made
  6. Successful candidate starts PhD in Sweden