125th Anniversary PhD Scholarship in Metallurgy and Materials - PhD Project: Satellite re-entry monitoring and impact assessment for improved space sustainability.

About the project

We are seeking an enthusiastic and capable individual to join our team as a PhD researcher in the development of instrumentation and models to monitor and quantify satellite re-entries. The successful candidate will work with multi-disciplinary researchers based in the Colleges of Engineering and Physical Sciences, and Life and Environmental Sciences. They will work with their supervisors and colleagues on enhancing understanding in a critical area to enable the ESA to fulfil its commitments as set out in the Zero Debris Charter.

The LEO space environment is far more crowded than ever before, with mega-constellations of commercially owned satellites (Starlink and OneWeb) comprising a large proportion of operational LEOsats providing vital services including Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Current international guidelines state that all satellites must be removed from the LEO protected region within five years of end of mission, through deorbit or transfer to a graveyard orbit, which is a significant reduction from the previous 25-year rule. The consequence of this change, alongside the large population of commercial LEOsats which will reach their end-of-life in the near future, on the Earth’s atmosphere is not well understood. This scholar will focus on two aspects of the re-entry issue: monitoring of individual satellites, and quantification of bulk re-entry through the atmosphere. Current techniques for surveillance and tracking of space objects are reliant on large, ground-based infrastructure, and are limited in the size range and viewing aspect of their detection capabilities. Our 125th anniversary scholar will explore novel sensor techniques to detect and characterise the behaviour of satellites [1,2], as well as simulate the re-entry of a large number of satellites under various future scenarios. This knowledge is crucial for ensuring the sustainable use of space and mitigating potential risks to our planet.

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Who can apply?

These scholarships are designed to create opportunities and address the underrepresentation of talented Black or Black mixed heritage students in academia. Applicants who meet all of the following criteria are eligible to apply:

1. Students classified as 'Home' for tuition fee payments
2. Members of one of the following ethnic groups:

• Black African
• Black Caribbean
• Black Other
• Mixed – White and Black Caribbean
• Mixed – White and Black African
• Other mixed background (to include Black African, Black Caribbean or Black Other)

     3. Not already enrolled on a PhD programme at the University of Birmingham

What does the scholarship provide?

1. Financial Support: Recipients of these scholarships will receive substantial financial support, including a stipend at UKRI rates, which is set at £20,780 per year for the 2025/26 academic year, and will be paid to you in regular instalments. Successful awardees will also have their tuition fees covered at a minimum of £5,006 per year. This support is designed to alleviate the financial burden often associated with pursuing a doctoral degree, such as covering tuition fees, living expenses, and research-related costs.
2. Mentorship and Guidance: Scholarship recipients will benefit from mentorship opportunities and guidance from accomplished faculty members who are dedicated to helping them succeed in their academic and research endeavours.
3. Research Opportunities: We are committed to providing an exceptional research environment. Students will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge resources, and a vibrant scholarly community.
4. Community Building: A key component of the scholarship programme is the creation of a supportive community of Black British researchers pursuing PhDs. This network will foster collaboration and peer support among scholars.
5. Research Training Support Grant: In addition to financial support, scholarship recipients will receive a research training support grant at £2,250 across the duration of the PhD. This grant is intended to support conference attendance, fieldwork, and other essential activities that enhance their research and academic growth.
6. Commitment to Inclusivity: We are dedicated to building an inclusive academic environment that values diversity and ensures equitable access to education.