Opportunities for researchers in aviation.

[AerBabe]

I've finally got to the point where I can't stay at university any longer, and have to get out into the big wide world and earn some money. Unfortunately, my obvious career path (laboratory research) doesn't hold much appeal any more, so I'm thinking of using my research skills in a more aviation-related way. But I have no idea what kind of opportunities are out there for someone with (hopefully) a PhD in an unrelated area, and a PPL. Which is where you all come in!

Ideally I'd like to stick to research, but related to aviation. Less peering at petri dishes, and more meeting real people. The obvious jobs seem to require psychology or engineering degrees. So I need something which will take my other PhD skills into account (multitasking, self-motivation, time management, etc). I would also like to keep writing in some form: reports, articles, papers or whatever.

Any suggestions gratefully received!

AB

[Firestorm]

I would suggest that you make enquiries at Cranfield University as a start point: they seem to specialise in post grad research, and particularly transposrt and aviation stuff. Maybe also Guildhall Uni in London.

Not being a graduate myself I'm not too sure, but any requests to join in research seems to have come from one of those two places.

Hope that's of some use! All the best.

[redsnail]

Since a bucket loads of research is done by the umm AAIB. You know, the mob that investigates prangs etc. Have a chat with them and see how you go. I dare say a lot of their stuff is done through Cranfield.

[Squawk7777]

... what about the BAe or Airbus? They must have a wide variety of aviation related research!

Good luck ! ;)

7 7 7 7

[south coast]

why not just become a full time pilot.....it is a cool job....you get to do some writing-filling in nav logs,trend monitors, you get to meet different people-flying with a different pilot each time, you get to travel, and you get lots of time off....what more could you want from a job!?o yeah, you get paid alright too.....

[OzExpat]

Have you considered becoming a journo for an aviation mag? There's bound to be at least one in the UK?

[Mobieus1]

What about Qinetiq. Use to be DERA.

[AerBabe]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Cranfield - Top of my list now, because it's pretty close to where my parents live. Worth a try, but most of their work is engineering and human factors.
Guildhall Uni - Hadn't thought of that one, thanks!
AAIB - I went for a look round a while ago (when I wasn't really thinking about jobs) and it sounded like again it was engineering.
BAE - Something in the pipeline at the moment...
Journo - Would love to, but I would probably need more experience. I'm looking into it from a science perspective, but will ask about aviation too.
Qinetiq - Like BAE I'd probably have to go in as a biologist, so am looking at potential for moving into something broader.

Keep them coming! Anything at all is good, you never know what connections it might make.

AB

[BDiONU]

How about researching in Human Factors? National Air Traffic Services are recruiting NOW for HF psychologists at the HFU in Bournemouth!!

[AerBabe]

Simple - I'm not a psychologist and it would be difficult for me to start work immediately! I've had a look at their website, but the only current vacancies they seem to be advertising are for ATCOs?! Will contact them in the morning and ask though.

I am looking into whether my experience can get me into something a little more people-orientated, but direct entry into something completely unrelated will be difficult.
I contacted the Safety Regulation Group at the CAA earlier, so hopefully will hear back from them before too long. Also spoke to the person in charge of vacancies at the Advanced Technology Centre within BAE SYSTEMS yesterday, who has asked for my CV.

All this takes WAY too long. Spent about an hour just composing an email earlier. :rolleyes:

[Genghis the Engineer]

A couple of thoughts about recruiting methods.

Qinetiq and DSTL are both inheritors of the MoD(PE) recruiting system. That is, when you submit your CV, they first try and line it up against existing vacancies, then they circulate it around any even faintly related department heads. So, submitting a reasonably meaty CV to their central recruiting departments, that shows you can do everything from analysing a DNA sample to running Microsoft (don't actually lie, but do be generous with yourself, it's expected) and it should be seen by any senior people even faintly considering recruiting. And they are firmly not only in the busines of recruiting Engineers, notwithstanding that's what I used to do for them when the place was called something else.

AAIB are known for a certain flexibility in their recruitment. Send a good CV in, be honest in your covering letter and you might be surprised - your combination of backgrounds will at-least get your CV read carefully.

If applying for a specific job, at-risk of telling my grandmother how to suck eggs, look to 2-3 days pre-interview prep and research. This includes no less than half a day producing a carefully tailored CV. Speaking as an occasional recruiter, there's no way anybody who hasn't researched my organisation thoroughly is getting past the first interview.

G