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CIFRE PhD Thesis - Assessment of the Impact of Climate Change on Aircraft Operational Performance - Job Opportunity at Airbus Operations SAS

Toulouse, France
Full-time
Entry-level
Posted: July 17, 2025
Hybrid
EUR 25,000-30,000 per year - CIFRE PhD positions in France typically provide competitive stipends funded jointly by industry and government, with additional research and conference funding. This represents attractive compensation for doctoral research with significant career advancement potential.

Benefits

CIFRE PhD funding providing comprehensive financial support for doctoral research including stipend and research expenses
Collaboration with prestigious research institution CERFACS offering access to advanced computational resources and expertise
Professional development within Airbus Commercial Aircraft's In-Flight Performance & Operations team providing industry-leading experience
Flexible working arrangements fostering innovative thinking and work-life balance
Access to cutting-edge climate modeling and aircraft performance analysis tools and datasets
Opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research addressing critical aviation industry challenges
Integration into collective research environment promoting knowledge sharing and professional networking

Key Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive literature review and identify key variables affecting aircraft performance under climate change conditions to establish research foundation
Develop rigorous methodology for quantifying climate change impacts on aircraft operational performance indicators at fleet level with confidence estimation
Produce relevant climate datasets specifically tailored for aircraft performance analysis using advanced climate modeling techniques
Establish computational chain for processing climate data and aircraft performance metrics across entire fleet operations
Apply developed methodology at fleet level to synthesize results and generate actionable insights for aircraft design and operations
Perform uncertainty analysis and propagation assessment across entire computational chain to ensure robustness of findings
Collaborate with CERFACS researchers to leverage expertise in climate sciences and computational modeling
Estimate economic impact of aircraft operations in warmer climate conditions to inform business strategy
Anticipate necessary adjustments to design criteria for future aircraft based on climate change projections
Present research findings through excellent oral and written communication to diverse stakeholder audiences

Requirements

Education

Research master degree

Experience

Student level

Required Skills

Good knowledge in climate sciences, climate modeling Basic knowledge in flight mechanics, flight operations and aircraft propulsion is a plus Basic knowledge in uncertainty propagation is a plus Analysing large amounts of data Python programming skills Rigour and autonomy Advanced level of English Excellent oral and written presentation skills Ability to work in a collective research environment
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Industry Trends

The aviation industry is experiencing unprecedented pressure to address climate change impacts, with post-COVID focus shifting from aviation's impact on climate to climate's impact on aviation operations. This represents a paradigm shift requiring new research methodologies and operational strategies. Climate adaptation in aviation is becoming a critical business imperative as extreme weather events increase in frequency and intensity, affecting flight operations, fuel efficiency, and aircraft design requirements. Airlines and manufacturers are investing heavily in climate resilience research. The integration of climate science with aerospace engineering is creating new interdisciplinary research opportunities, particularly in developing predictive models for aircraft performance under changing atmospheric conditions. Regulatory bodies are increasingly requiring climate risk assessments for aviation operations, creating demand for robust methodologies to quantify climate change impacts on aircraft performance and safety.

Role Significance

The candidate will work within Airbus's In-Flight Performance & Operations team, typically consisting of 15-25 engineers and researchers, while collaborating with CERFACS scientists in a multi-institutional research environment.
This PhD position represents an entry-level research role with significant strategic importance to Airbus's long-term competitiveness. The researcher will contribute to fundamental understanding of climate impacts on aviation, directly influencing future aircraft design and operational strategies.

Key Projects

Development of climate-aware aircraft performance models incorporating temperature, humidity, and wind pattern changes Creation of fleet-level operational impact assessments for various climate scenarios Design of uncertainty quantification frameworks for climate-aircraft performance interactions Economic impact modeling for climate adaptation strategies in aviation operations

Success Factors

Strong foundation in climate science combined with willingness to learn aerospace engineering principles will be essential for bridging these traditionally separate domains Proficiency in handling large-scale climate datasets and developing computational workflows will be critical for processing the massive amounts of data required for fleet-level analysis Collaborative skills and ability to work across institutional boundaries will be vital given the partnership with CERFACS and the interdisciplinary nature of the research Communication skills will be crucial for translating complex scientific findings into actionable business insights for Airbus stakeholders Rigorous approach to uncertainty quantification will be essential for developing credible climate impact assessments that can inform high-stakes business decisions

Market Demand

High - The intersection of climate science and aviation performance represents a rapidly growing field with limited expertise available. Organizations worldwide are seeking researchers capable of bridging climate modeling and aerospace engineering disciplines.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Climate sciences and modeling expertise forms the foundation of this research, as understanding atmospheric changes and their quantification is essential for meaningful aircraft performance impact assessment Python programming skills are absolutely vital for processing large climate datasets, implementing computational chains, and developing analysis tools required for fleet-level performance evaluation Data analysis capabilities are crucial given the massive scale of climate and operational data that must be processed to generate statistically significant insights Rigorous research methodology is essential for developing credible uncertainty quantification frameworks that can withstand scrutiny from both scientific and business communities

Beneficial Skills

Flight mechanics knowledge would significantly accelerate research progress by providing deeper understanding of how atmospheric changes translate to aircraft performance impacts Uncertainty propagation expertise would enhance the robustness of research findings and increase their credibility for business decision-making Presentation skills will be valuable for communicating complex technical findings to diverse stakeholder groups including engineers, executives, and regulatory bodies Collaborative research experience will be beneficial for navigating the multi-institutional partnership and maximizing research productivity

Unique Aspects

This position offers rare opportunity to pioneer research in an underexplored but critically important field at the intersection of climate science and aerospace engineering
The CIFRE program provides unique industry-academia collaboration model allowing direct application of research findings to real-world aircraft operations
Partnership with CERFACS provides access to world-class climate modeling expertise and computational resources typically unavailable in purely academic settings
The research directly addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing the aviation industry, with potential for significant impact on aircraft design and operations worldwide
Location in Toulouse provides immersion in the global center of commercial aviation development with access to industry leaders and cutting-edge facilities

Career Growth

3-4 years for PhD completion, with immediate opportunities for post-doctoral positions or industry roles given the high demand for this specialized expertise

Potential Next Roles

Climate Risk Analyst positions within aerospace companies focusing on operational resilience and adaptation strategies Research Scientist roles at national laboratories or research institutions specializing in climate-technology interactions Senior Engineer positions in aircraft design teams incorporating climate considerations into next-generation aircraft development Consultant roles advising aviation industry on climate adaptation and risk management strategies

Company Overview

Airbus Operations SAS

Airbus Operations SAS is a subsidiary of Airbus SE, the world's largest commercial aircraft manufacturer competing directly with Boeing for global market leadership. The company operates major design and manufacturing facilities across Europe, with Toulouse serving as the primary headquarters and commercial aircraft development center.

Airbus holds approximately 50% of the global commercial aircraft market share and is recognized as a technology leader in aerospace innovation. The company's commitment to sustainable aviation and climate research positions it at the forefront of industry transformation.
Toulouse represents the heart of European aerospace excellence, hosting not only Airbus headquarters but also a comprehensive ecosystem of suppliers, research institutions, and aerospace startups. This creates unparalleled opportunities for professional networking and career development.
Airbus fosters a culture of innovation and international collaboration, with employees from over 130 countries working together on cutting-edge aerospace projects. The company emphasizes technical excellence, safety, and sustainability while maintaining a strong focus on employee development and work-life balance.
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