Machine Learning for Bio-Inspired Navigation - Ref 28

Description

This PhD project is part of the CDT in Distributed Algorithms: The What, How and where of Next-Generation Data Science.

The University of Liverpool’s Centre for Doctoral Training in Distributed Algorithms (CDT) is working in partnership with the STFC Hartree Centre and 20+ external partners from the manufacturing, defence and security sectors to provide a 4-year innovative PhD training course that will equip over 60 students with: the essential skills needed to become future leaders in distributed algorithms; the technical and professional networks needed to launch a career in next generation data science and future computing; and the confidence to make a positive difference in society, the economy and beyond.

The successful PhD student will be co-supervised by Professor Jason Ralph and work alongside our external partner Grant McClean, Raytheon

Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an aerospace and defence company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises four industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Raytheon Missiles & Defence. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cyber security. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.

This project will be concerned with assessing and replicating the different methods that animals use to navigate over long distances during migration. The initial emphasis will be on the sensory ability of birds, but the project will review all current theories for animal navigation and migration.

Animals have a range of sensory inputs that we as humans lack. Examples include magnetic sensors, landmark recognition, and the ability to detect polarised light. Improvements to magnetic sensing from the UK quantum technology programme are increasing interest in the use of magnetic sensors for navigation, but there are still issues around the effect of stray magnetic fields caused by electronics and other metal components. Image based navigation has also been studied previously, but with the ability to distinguish polarised light, there is scope to combine ground feature databases with information from polarised solar illumination.

The objective of the PhD will be to identify bio-inspired sensors that could be used in Positioning Navigation and Timing (PNT) applications and to develop a processing architecture that would allow such sensors to form part of a fused PNT solution.

The project will cover a range of different forms of sensing technologies, sensor fusion, navigation and timing systems, and it will provide opportunities to gain experience with real-time processing with sensor hardware.

Raytheon UK are leaders in the GPS Anti-Jam market. To continue that position of strength in the market we need to continually research and develop new techniques that can be implemented in future product designs. This project aims to create the basis for new Navigation technologies that will be useful when conventional systems, such as GPS, are denied by our adversaries.

There will be a mixture of skills that the candidate will be required to develop;

  1. Physical sensor technology research and prototyping
  2. Data Gathering
  3. Algorithm Development
  4. Real-Time Implementation

The sensor technology, its maturity and availability of existing components will determine the levels of each of those skillsets that will be utilised during the PhD.


This studentship is open to  British and EU nationals who are willing and able to  obtain  security clearance.

 

The project is due to commence on 1 October 2023.

 

Students will be based at the University of Liverpool and will be part of the CDT and Signal Processing Research Group.

The CDT is committed to providing an inclusive environment in which diverse students can thrive. The CDT particularly encourages applications from women, disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, who are currently under-represented in the sector.  We can also consider part time PhD students.  We also encourage talented individuals from various backgrounds, with either an UG or MSc in a numerate subject and people with ambition and an interest in making a difference. 

Please visit the Distributed Algorithms CDT website to discover more about the research work and the people who make it happen.


Name and email address to direct enquiries to:  
www.liverpool.ac.uk/distributed-algorithms-cdt


Application Web Address:
Visit the CDT website for application instructions, FAQs, interview timelines and guidance.

Availability

Open to EU/UK applicants

Funding information

Funded studentship

This project is a funded Studentship for 4 years in total and will provide UK tuition fees and maintenance at the UKRI Doctoral Stipend rate £17,668 per annum, 2022/23 rate).

Please enter the following information on your application:

  • Admission Term: 2023/2024
  • Application Type: Research Degree (MPhil/PhD/MD) – Full time
  • Programme of Study: Electrical Engineering and Electronics – Doctor in Philosophy (PhD)

The remainder of the guidance is found in the CDT application instructions on our website.

Visit the CDT website for further funding and eligibility information.

Contact the named supervisors in the first instance or visit the CDT website for Director, Student Ambassador and Centre Manager details.

Supervisors