PhD Studentship: Machine-learning for High-speed Aerial Vehicle Control

University of Bristol

Qualification Type: PhD
Location: Bristol
Funding for: UK Students
Funding amount: Funding: fully funded. Standard EPSRC stipend
Hours: Full Time

Placed On: 4th August 2026
Closes: 4th November 2026

The project:

This PhD project will investigate new machine learning techniques, including physics-informed neural networks for dynamical systems, for controlling high-speed and highly-manoeuvrable aerial vehicles. Emphasis will be placed on bridging the gap between classical control and modern machine learning methods, as well as high-level path planning and low-level flight control. like A principal research aim will be to develop a physics-informed, meta-learned adaptive guidance approach, which can instantly adapt the guidance and control system to new tracking targets, atmospheric conditions, or vehicle states using only a few real-time measurements.

The work will be co-funded by a leading industrial partner in the defence sector. There is also an opportunity to conduct a work placement at the industrial partner's site.

Desirable skills and experiences:

2.1 or above undergraduate degree in STEM
MATLAB, Simulink
Flight control
Dynamical systems
Machine learning
Relevant academic or industrial experience

How to apply:

Please make an online application for this project at http://www.bris.ac.uk/pg-howtoapply. Please select ‘PhD in Aerospace Engineering’ on the Programme Choice page. You will be prompted to enter details of the studentship in the Funding and Research Details sections of the form.

Candidate requirements:

The successful candidate must qualify for UK home student status and is expected to successfully obtain a UK security clearance. Candidates are requested to confirm their fee status when contacting one of the supervisors. The expected start date is no later than March 2027.

Funding:

fully funded

Contacts:

Dr Duc Nguyen: duc.nguyen@bristol.ac.uk
Dr Bahadir Kocer: b.kocer@bristol.ac.uk
Professor Mark Lowenberg: m.lowenberg@bristol.ac.uk

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PhD Studentship: Machine-learning for High-speed Aerial Vehicle Control

University of Bristol

Beacon House, Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1QU, United Kingdom