Fundamental Advances in Control Theory

About the Project

This self-funded PhD project offers you the freedom to explore any theoretical aspect of feedback control and networked dynamics that aligns with your interests. You will work within a broad research area in any of the following:

Robust Analysis & Control:

Develop general tools to assess and guarantee performance and stability of uncertain systems—whether single agents or large networks—using techniques such as integral quadratic constraints, dissipation inequalities, or non-conservative multiplier methods.

Complex Dynamical Networks:

Investigate how interconnection topologies, time-varying links, and heterogeneous node dynamics influence collective behaviors like synchronization, consensus and oscillation damping. You might formulate new certificates tailored to network settings.

Distributed Optimization & Control Co-Design:

Explore the intersection of control and optimization by designing algorithms that achieve global objectives (e.g., optimal resource allocation, load balancing) through purely local interactions—while ensuring robustness to communication delays, packet loss, or dynamic link failures.

Networked Control Systems:

Study how feedback loops interact over realistic communication channels. Possible directions include event-triggered control, quantized feedback, or resilience to cyber-physical attacks, always with a strong emphasis on provable guarantees rather than case-by-case heuristics.

Eligibility

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

We welcome candidates with a strong mathematical background in control theory, dynamical systems or applied mathematics who are excited by deep theoretical challenges and comfortable with abstract proofs.

Funding

This project is for self funded students.

At The University of Manchester, we offer a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level, to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers.

For more information, visit our funding page or search our funding database for specific scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

How to apply

Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).
• Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
• English Language certificate (if applicable)

Applications will remain open until the post has been filled.

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.