Space Engineering

The University of Surrey Space Centre is the largest UK academic centre for space engineering research. With a host of expert academics and close links with industry, the Centre offers the ideal research environment for the next generation of space scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs.

On the Space Engineering PhD programme at the University of Surrey , you’ll work alongside academics, postdoctoral researchers and fellow postgraduate researchers as they push the boundaries of low-cost small satellites and develop new innovative technologies.

Career opportunities

Postgraduate researchers are registered for a maximum of four years’ full-time study. You’ll be allocated two Surrey-based academic supervisors, in addition to any external collaborative supervisors. Your principal supervisor will be an expert in your area of research and will monitor your research progress. The supervisors will help you define the initial objective and scope of your research, and to refine these as the project evolves. They’ll direct you to resources to help you learn the necessary experimental, theoretical or computing skills, and they’ll advise you on the completion of your PhD and the content of your thesis. In many cases, external collaborative supervisors are appointed to contribute specific expertise or facilitate access to resources or organisations.Your office will be located in the Surrey Space Centre building and you’ll typically share space alongside researchers with related interests. As a PhD student, you’ll be assigned to a research group that includes a team of academics, postdoctoral researchers, guest scientists and fellows.Many areas of research at the Centre are interdisciplinary and you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with scientists at universities, research establishments and industries around the world. If your PhD project is collaborative, it may involve travel for meetings with collaborators and access to specialised facilities.

Research themes

• Astrodynamics

• Onboard data handling

• Propulsion

• Remote sensing and Earth observation

• Space environment and protection

• Spacecraft structures and mechanisms.