PhD Studentship: The dynamical impact of aircraft on clouds and climate

Overview

The Brahmal Institute invites applications for its October 2027 Doctoral Programme in Sustainable Aviation. This PhD studentship focuses on the dynamical impact of aircraft on clouds and climate, specifically examining how aircraft trailing vortices thin high clouds to create distrails that may cool the climate. The project provides the first global assessment of distrail climate impacts by integrating satellite, meteorological, and aircraft data alongside modelling and wind-tunnel experiments to evaluate how aircraft routing and design affect this climate phenomenon. Students will participate in a cohort addressing aviation sustainability from a systems perspective, incorporating shared learning, specialist training,