Supervisory Team: M Soorati and S Dasmahapatra

Project description

We are looking for a talented PhD student (fully funded) to work on the intersection of machine learning and swarm robotics. The goal of this PhD project is to propose a collective decision-making strategy and a learning model for robots that would lead to precise mapping of unknown environments. Machine learning models such as Generative Adversarial Networks can generate data (e.g. images) that have not been measured or obsevered before. One of the use cases for the generated data is to build novel perceptions of an unforeseen environment. This PhD project focuses on using machine learning on a large robot swarm that have partial observations of an environment and the idea is to coordinate these models in a way that a complete picture of the environment can be constructed. In this project, the student will gain a deep understanding of novel algorithms in machine learning, image processing and multi-robot systems.

Successful candidates would have a strong background in computer science and preference would be given to those with good understanding of machine learning, formal methods and/or good programming skills. You will join the School of Electronics and Computer Science which is ranked 1st in the UK for Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Guardian University Guide 2022) within the University of Southampton which is ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide. You will be supervised by world leading researchers in their field and join an exceptional and vibrant team of postdoctoral researchers and other PhD students. The student will also benefit from the training and networking activities in the UKRI’s Trustworthy Autonomous Systems’ Hub (tas.ac.uk) and the EPSRC Smart Solutions Towards Cellular-Connected Unmanned Aerial Vehicles System (AUTONOMY) project. We will support the development of your future career (networking with more than 100 industry partners and universities across the UK) and be give you opportunities expand your experience and knowledge beyond the topic of the PhD project.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Mohammad Soorati, AIC Research Group, Email: m.soorati@soton.ac.uk.

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Closing Date: Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, and the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified. Applications should be received no later than 31 August 2023

Funding: For UK students, Tuition Fees and a stipend of £17,668 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years.

How To Apply

Applications should be made online. Select programme type (Research), 2022/23, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD Computer Science (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Mohammad Soorati

Applications should include:

Research Proposal

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts to date

Apply online: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/how-to-apply/postgraduate-applications.page

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk