PhD Studentship in Computer Science: Physics-Informed Data-Driven Techniques for Safe and Secure Autonomous Systems

Award summary

100% fees covered, and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £19,237 (2024/25 UKRI rate). Successful international candidates will be required to fund the difference between the home fees and international fees. 

Overview

Autonomous systems are intricate networked models that seamlessly integrate cyber components (computation and communication) with physical elements, operating within a feedback loop. These systems make decisions independently of direct human intervention, and their growing complexity arises from factors such as high-dimensionality, uncertainty, and difficult-to-model dynamics. The primary goal of this research is to address these complexities by developing data-driven techniques that offer mathematical guarantees for verifying and designing safe and secure autonomous systems. These methods aim to integrate fundamental physical principles into data-driven algorithms, enhancing the robustness and adaptability of autonomous systems. The application areas for this project span various domains, ranging from robotic systems to self-driving cars, automated manufacturing systems, and intelligent transportation networks. Candidates will have the opportunity to work at the intersection of formal methods in computer science, control theory, machine learning and cybersecurity. 

This studentship offers a unique opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary, high-impact research within a team of diverse researchers. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Dr Amy Nejati. 

Number of awards 

 1 

Start date  

6 January 2025 

Award duration 

3.5 years 

Application closing date 

15 December 2024  

Sponsor 

School of Computing 

Name of supervisor/s 

Dr Amy Nejati 

Eligibility Criteria

The applicant should have a master’s degree or close to completion in one of the following areas: Computer Science/Engineering, Systems and Control, Mathematics, Data Science/Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence, or a closely related field, and willing to gain knowledge on other required areas.  

Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills. 

The studentship covers fees at the Home rate (UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status and meet the residency criteria). International applicants are welcome but must cover the difference between Home and International fees. 

International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate before obtaining a visa for this programme. 

How to apply

To make an application please use Apply to Newcastle Portal  

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.   

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:   

• search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8050F
• Research Area: Computing Science
• select ‘PhD Computer Science (full time) – Computing Science’ as the programme of study

In ‘Further Questions’ section please upload:   

• ‘Personal Statement’ – upload document or write statement directly into application form
• ‘Research Proposal’ – when prompted for how you are providing your research proposal – select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert
• Studentship code COMP2172 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field

In ‘Supporting Documentation’ please upload:   

• covering letter and CV
• degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications

You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application. 

Contact Details

amy.nejati@newcastle.ac.uk