By scholarshipswithaakash@gmail.com 
Apply for a Fully Funded MS Position in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for Forest Health Monitoring at the University of Maine (2026). Work on drone design, CFD, and flight testing with expert supervision.
📍 Location: University of Maine, USA
📅 Start Date: Spring – Fall 2026
💰 Funding: Fully Funded (2 years)
🏛 Department: Mechanical Engineering – Aerosystems Dynamics Lab (ADL)
📩 Application Contact: Dr. Ahmed Aboelezz (ahmed.aboelezz@maine.edu)
🌿 Introduction: Advancing Forest Health with Unmanned Aerial Systems
The University of Maine (UMaine) is offering an incredible opportunity for students passionate about aerospace engineering, environmental science, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
This fully funded M.S. student position in Unmanned Aerial Systems for Forest Health Monitoring (Spring–Fall 2026) aims to develop innovative drone technologies that monitor forest health beneath the canopy — where traditional aerial systems struggle to operate.
💡 In collaboration with UMaine FOREST, this project combines aerodynamics, flight dynamics, environmental sensing, and computational modeling to revolutionize how we study and protect forests.
This opportunity is based at the Aerosystems Dynamics Lab (ADL) — one of UMaine’s leading research centers in aerospace systems and bio-inspired flight technologies.
🎯 Project Overview: UAS for Forest Health Monitoring
🔍 Research Focus
The project aims to design and test an under-canopy unmanned aerial system (UAS) that can efficiently fly and collect environmental data in dense forest environments.
Unlike open-air drones, forest-based UAS must navigate complex airflow, turbulence, and limited visibility — challenges that require advanced aerodynamic design and real-time flight control systems.
The research will focus on:
- Aerodynamic Design: Optimizing UAV structure for stable flight in confined, turbulent forest spaces ✈️
- CFD Simulations: Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools (e.g., ANSYS Fluent) to model airflow behavior 🔬
- Wind Tunnel Testing: Conducting experiments to evaluate performance and validate simulation results 💨
- Flight Testing: Performing field trials in forested areas to ensure operational reliability 🌲
This project represents a multidisciplinary collaboration between aerospace engineers, forest scientists, and environmental researchers.
🧑🎓 Qualifications and Eligibility
✅ Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must have:
- A B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
- Strong motivation and enthusiasm for experimental and computational aerodynamics.
🌟 Preferred Qualifications
Candidates with one or more of the following skills are highly encouraged to apply:
- Programming experience in MATLAB or Python 🧑💻
- Proficiency in CFD simulations (ANSYS Fluent preferred) 💨
- Familiarity with wind tunnel testing and PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry) techniques
- Experience with Pixhawk or ArduPilot for flight control and testing
📍 Preference will be given to applicants currently residing or studying in the United States.
🧠 About the Research Lab – Aerosystems Dynamics Lab (ADL)
The Aerosystems Dynamics Lab (ADL) at UMaine is a cutting-edge research group dedicated to aerospace systems, UAV flight dynamics, and bio-inspired aerodynamics.
ADL integrates computational modeling, experimental testing, and data-driven analysis to push the boundaries of unmanned flight.
Under the supervision of Dr. Ahmed Aboelezz, ADL researchers work on:
- UAV flight control and stability
- Aerodynamic optimization of bio-inspired vehicles
- CFD modeling of airflow in complex environments
- Wind tunnel testing and data validation
This M.S. project will give students hands-on experience with real-world applications in forest monitoring, environmental sensing, and sustainability-focused aerospace innovation.
👨🏫 About the Principal Investigator (PI) – Dr. Ahmed Aboelezz
Dr. Ahmed Aboelezz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Director of ADL at the University of Maine.
He also holds a joint appointment with UMaine Space Initiative, reflecting his active role in aerospace and bio-inspired flight research.
His expertise includes:
- UAV and aerospace systems design
- CFD modeling and wind tunnel testing
- Bio-inspired flight mechanics
- Flight control systems and UAV autonomy
Dr. Aboelezz’s work combines aerodynamics, flight dynamics, and environmental sensing to create new solutions for real-world challenges in engineering and ecology.
🏛 About the University of Maine
Founded in 1865, the University of Maine (UMaine) is the state’s land, sea, and space grant university and one of the nation’s top research institutions.
🌍 Carnegie Classification: R1 – Very High Research Activity
UMaine fosters a collaborative and inclusive research culture across disciplines such as engineering, forestry, sustainability, and data science.
The university’s commitment to interdisciplinary innovation makes it an ideal environment for students passionate about blending technology and environmental science.
UMaine’s beautiful campus in Orono, Maine, provides access to lush forest landscapes — perfect for conducting forest flight tests and UAS development.
💰 Funding and Duration
This is a fully funded M.S. studentship lasting two years, covering:
- Full tuition fees
- Research assistantship stipend
- Access to laboratory facilities and computational resources
Students will also have opportunities to publish research, present at international conferences, and collaborate with UMaine FOREST researchers and external partners.
📩 Application Process
📝 How to Apply
To apply for this position, email Dr. Ahmed Aboelezz at:
📧 ahmed.aboelezz@maine.edu
Include the following as a single PDF file:
- A brief cover letter (research background, interests, and goals)
- Your CV (Curriculum Vitae)
- Transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable at this stage)
📅 Application Start Term: Spring – Fall 2026
🗓 Apply early to increase your chances of being considered for this prestigious research position!
💡 Why This Research Matters
Deforestation, forest diseases, and climate change threaten ecosystems globally. Monitoring forest health is vital for conservation and sustainability.
This M.S. project aims to develop drone systems capable of navigating dense forests, collecting crucial environmental data, and enabling real-time forest health monitoring.
🚀 Key Impacts:
- Improves forest disease and pest detection 🐛
- Enables sustainable forest management 🌲
- Reduces monitoring costs through drone-based automation 💰
- Advances drone technology for challenging terrains 🌍
Your research will contribute directly to global environmental sustainability while advancing the field of aerospace and UAS design.
🧩 Skills You’ll Gain
Students selected for this program will develop a broad range of technical and professional skills:
🔬 Technical Skills
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling
- Wind tunnel and PIV measurement techniques
- UAV flight testing and control system programming
- Environmental sensing and data analysis
💼 Professional Skills
- Interdisciplinary collaboration with forestry and environmental scientists
- Technical writing and scientific publication
- Presentation skills for academic and industry audiences
- Experience in sustainable technology development
Learn more about UMaine’s Department of Mechanical Engineering:
👉 https://umaine.edu/mecheng
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the focus of this fully funded M.S. position?
The project focuses on developing and testing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for forest health monitoring, emphasizing aerodynamic design, CFD modeling, and flight testing.
2. Who can apply for this position?
Applicants with a B.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering (or related fields) who have a strong interest in aerodynamics and UAV systems are eligible.
3. Is the position fully funded?
✅ Yes. The M.S. position offers full funding for two years, including tuition and a research assistant stipend.
4. What programming or simulation tools are required?
Preferred candidates should know MATLAB, Python, and ANSYS Fluent for CFD analysis.
5. What is the application process?
Email Dr. Ahmed Aboelezz a single PDF containing your cover letter, CV, and transcripts.
6. When does the program start?
The program begins between Spring and Fall 2026.
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