Automated Prioritisation and Engagement of Maritime Threats

Description

Are you passionate about developing novel research and keen to shape the future of energy transfer technologies in areas such as, laser interactions and Artificial Intelligence (AI)?[TR1]  We are recruiting a motivated PhD candidate to undertake an exciting project within the EPSRC Energy Transfer Technologies Doctoral Training Hub. As a student of the Hub, you will receive an enhanced stipend of £24,780 per year, plus additional funds of £7,000 a year for travel, conferences and research equipment. This project is co- funded by Thales.

The studentship will focus on developing algorithms to improve the operational effectiveness of defensive anti-drone systems, with the potential to leverage recent developments in AI and machine learning to predict and prioritise in-coming threats. The aim is to provide a cost-effective deterrent to counter swarms of low-cost drones using novel technologies.

 The main objectives of this project are: 

·      Investigation of factors that will influence systems’ effectiveness, such as weather, and operational factors that may reduce effectiveness. The understanding gained in this investigation will then be applied in models to simulate threats and calculate probabilities of success.

·      Research into non-myopic dynamic decision-making techniques that assess the current environment, can predict the potential actions of threats and schedule best use of the available resources to reduce the threats’ effectiveness. This research will involve extending the state-of-the-art in Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques such as Reinforcement Learning (RL) and Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS).

·      We will measure of the effectiveness of AI techniques developed, through simulation. We will then compare this effectiveness to that achieved using simpler rule-based scheduling.

The Hub

The Doctoral Hub specialises in developing research and training the next generation of leaders in energy transfer technologies for defence and related sectors. The successful candidate will be based at the University of the Liverpool and throughout their PhD will benefit from the support and expertise of our diverse academic community, a community of students working towards similar goals, as well as our specialist industrial network.

Why Join Us?

·      Industrial Collaboration: Each PhD student within the Hub is partnered with an industry collaborator, providing placement opportunities to work and train alongside industry experts

·      Comprehensive Training: The Hub offers a blend of academic and industrial training, preparing you for diverse career pathways in research or industry

·      Cohort Experience: Build your research network through inclusion in a vibrant cohort of PhD students that conduct research with academic leaders across leading UK institutions. Engage in online and face-to-face activities, including cohort-building events and collaborative learning exercises

·      Funding: A generous fully funded studentship (no fees and a monthly personal payment) with additional support for conferences, travel, training, consumables and extended placement with industry collaborators.

Key Details

·      Host Institution: University of Liverpool

·      Industry Partner: Thales

·      PhD Duration: 4 years

·      Start Date: 1st October 2025

·      Enhanced stipend of £24,780 per year

The industrial partner, Thales (https://www.thalesgroup.com/en), is a major international company in the Digital Identity and Security, Defence and Security, Aeronautics, Space and Ground Transportation sectors. Thales will provide PhD supervision, a placement, and be part of the larger Hub community benefiting in the diverse academic and industrial network offered by the Hub.

Please check the hub website for further details: Energy Transfer Technologies Doctoral Training Hub

Eligibility

PhD Candidates must hold a minimum of an upper Second-Class UK Honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant science or engineering discipline. Candidates must be UK Nationals and be willing to apply for and able to obtain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor(s) for this PhD project before you apply.

How to apply

How to apply for a PhD | Postgraduate research | University of Liverpool

Equality, diversity and inclusion

The Hub is committed to improving diversity within the sector and as such we aim to provide an inclusive environment in which all students can thrive. We particularly encourage applications from women, disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, and students from low-income/ non-typical backgrounds to apply. We can also consider part time PhD students. We encourage and support talented individuals from various STEM backgrounds with ambition and an interest in making a difference. 

Application closing date: 31^st March 2025