ProfessorLaura Mainini

Research Interests
Multidisciplinary Design Optimization, Complex Multidisciplinary Systems Design and Integration, Scientific Machine Learning, Multifidelity Methods, Model Reduction, Data-to-Decision, Digital Twins, Digital Engineering, Sustainable Aviation

Research Applications
Design, integration, manufacturing and health monitoring of complex multi-physics systems, structures and vehicles; Dynamic reconfigurable mission planning capabilities for intelligent vehicles.

Open Positions and Opportunities

Applications are invited for the October 2026 PhD Cohort Programme in Sustainable Aviation. This pioneering doctoral programme is dedicated to addressing one of the most urgent global challenges — transforming aviation into a truly sustainable sector. The Institute provides a unique interdisciplinary environment for visionary researchers eager to challenge convention, disrupt existing systems, and reimagine the future of air transport. Two projects are open to join my group:

Dynamic reconfigurable mission planning: toward new paradigms for safe and sustainable air-operations
DEPARTMENT(S): Department of Aeronautics
SUPERVISORS: Prof. Laura Mainini and Dr. Sophie Armanini
The integration of green technologies on future aircraft is challenged by the time and effort required to characterize safety and reliability of new solutions to the high standards demanded by air-operations. To accelerate the sustainability journey, this project develops dynamic reconfigurable mission planning capabilities, new paradigms for reliability and readiness of air-vehicles based on continuous and proactive adaptation of their configuration and mission operations in response to contingencies.

Navigating the SAF revolution: multifaceted multiagent modelling for reliable market forecasts and sustainable futures
DEPARTMENT(S): The Grantham Institute for Climate Change and Department of Aeronautics
SUPERVISORS: Dr. Gbemi Oluleye, Dr. Hayriye Pehlivan Solak and Prof. Laura Mainini
This project develops an AI-enabled multi-agent optimisation framework to forecast global sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) adoption. Integrating techno-economic, market, and policy data, it will model how carbon pricing, mandates, and trading schemes influence fleet transitions, providing actionable insights for policymakers and industry to accelerate SAF deployment cost-effectively.

For more information and to apply visit: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/brahmal-institute/dpsa/2026entry/
Deadline: 19 January 2026