PhD Success Stories - Mushfiqul Alam

Dr. Mushfiqul Alam BEng, MSc, PhD, MRAeS

Branch of study: Air Traffic Control 

Supervisor: Assoc. prof. Jan Roháč, PhD

Supervisor Specialist: Prof. RNDr. Sergej Čelikovský, CSc

Dissertation Title: Adaptive Data Processing in Aircraft Control

Where do you currently work and what is the scope of your work?

From July 2021, I will join at Cranfield University, United Kingdom as a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Flight Dynamics within the Dynamics, Simulation and Control Group under the Centre for Aeronautics. I will lead the aeroelasticity research. Cranfield is ranked among the top universities around the world for its research in aerospace engineering.

Currently I am working as a senior research associate within the Flight Science and Technology (FST) Research Group at the University of Liverpool. My research focuses on developing novel systems to aid the pilots during emergency helicopter autorotation in order to improve safety.

What has your doctoral studies given you for your current career?

The fantastic colleagues from the Department of Measurement ensured an outstanding working environment. My doctoral studies provided me with the right foundation to establish myself as an independent researcher. During my studies, I had the chance to develop my theoretical knowledge and apply them to solve real world problems via real world experiments. In addition, my doctoral studies exposed me to a number of national and international academic and industrial collaborators that helped me appreciate various working cultures and extend my professional network. 

Where have you been during your doctoral studies and where have you been to postdoc?

During my doctoral studies, I had the chance to collaborate with various national and international institutions. I had the chance to collaborate with colleagues from Norway, Germany. I also went for several summer school in China and USA. During my postdoctoral research, I collaborated with the School of Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA and the US Army. 

What would you recommend to potential doctoral students?

My recommendations for the future doctoral students would be, firstly, find your passion and see what sort of area of research motivates you. Find an appropriate supervisor within your area of interest and come up with a roadmap for your research plans. Secondly, try to connect your research to solve the real world problems. Thirdly, if your research is worth publishing, publish it in English. Communicating your research finding with the wider audience around the world is an essential skill for today’s world. Finally, there will be days you will feel like quitting your doctoral studies, in one of those days sit back, take deep breath and restart fresh the next day. Never ever give up.