Safety driven system architecting using model based safety assessment for fly by wire systems
HIRAD Lab, Concordia University, Montréal
Industrial collaboration with Bombardier
The High Reliability Aerospace Design Lab invites applications for a funded PhD position starting Fall 2026 in the area of model-based safety assessment and system architecting for fly by wire flight control systems. The project is conducted in collaboration with Bombardier through a Mitacs supported industrial research internship.
This research addresses a central challenge in modern aircraft development: integrating safety assessment directly into early system architecture decisions. The objective is to develop a generalized and partially automated framework for modeling failure propagation across heterogeneous aircraft subsystems and for supporting safety driven architectural trade studies consistent with current certification practices.
The methodology will integrate failure mode propagation modeling with zonal safety analysis and particular risk analysis to enable scalable early design evaluation and identification of cascading failure mechanisms. The framework will be validated using a representative industrial fly by wire architecture with guidance and technical interaction from Bombardier engineers.
The research builds on recent advances in model-based safety assessment integration for aircraft system architecting and early design evaluation.
Candidate Profile
Applicants should have a strong background in aerospace systems engineering or flight control systems. Prior exposure to model-based systems engineering, safety assessment methods, or reliability engineering is desirable.
The candidate will contribute to modeling both nominal and failure behaviours of flight control system technologies and their interactions within aircraft level architectures.
Application Procedure
The position is planned for Fall 2026. Interested qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Applications will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.
To apply, email a motivation letter, CV, and transcript to
Dr. Jonathan Liscouët
jonathan.liscouet@concordia.ca
Subject: Ph.D. Application - MBSA
Equity, diversity, and inclusion
Applicants from underrepresented groups in engineering and candidates with nonstandard academic pathways are encouraged to apply. A one-page explanatory statement may be included if relevant.