PhD Studentship: Coordinated Aerial Logistics for Emergency Response and National Resilience

This doctoral research will focus on the development, optimisation, and coordinated deployment of advanced aerial platforms, specifically electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), within the context of national emergency logistics. The project will examine how these technologies can be integrated with existing infrastructure to support the timely and effective delivery of expertise, equipment, and medical resources in response to complex and large-scale emergencies across the United Kingdom.

In its initial phase, the research will examine past and emerging types of national emergencies and evaluate their spatial and operational implications. This will include an analysis of UK population distributions, terrain, infrastructure access, and airspace constraints. The student will then develop concepts of operation for the deployment of aerial assets in support of first responders, including performance benchmarks for range, endurance, payload capacity, and response timelines.

Building on this foundation, the project will apply scenario modelling and simulation techniques to investigate emergency event propagation, routing strategies, vehicle-task assignment, and coordination of aerial missions within regulated airspace. These models will support multi-objective optimisation across key dimensions such as time, safety, cost, and coverage. As the research progresses, the student will contribute to the definition of system specifications, regulatory and safety considerations, and the development of viable business and deployment models. Public acceptance, societal trust, and stakeholder engagement will also form an integral part of the study.

This is a cross-disciplinary project that sits at the intersection of analytical optimisation and decision-making for emergency logistics, computational modelling of large-scale operational systems, and the design and coordination of technology-enabled operations within safety-critical and regulated environments. It is particularly suited to candidates with academic backgrounds in Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, Management Science, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, or Transportation Engineering. The successful applicant will join a collaborative environment supported by expert supervision and close engagement with UKHSA and wider national stakeholders.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed. Please note that this role also requires a minimum of Security Check vetting. If not already held, the successful candidate will be expected to apply for and obtain Security Check (SC) clearance. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting, and applicants should discuss with the recruiting manager for further advice.

To apply for this opportunity please send a CV and personal statement, including detail of how you meet the security clearance requirements, to epr-hpru@contacts.bham.ac.uk via the above 'Apply' button.

Funding notes:

Funding for this project is available for UK studentship fees (only UK fees will be paid, and any additional PhD fee costs where needed must be paid by the successful applicant), a yearly stipend based on the current UKRI rates, and a research training and support grant.