Safety of AI for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

About the Project

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are becoming more widely used and our industrial partner, QinetiQ, are entrusted with responsibility for assuring UAVs before they enter service. This project is intended to find practicable ways of assuring autonomy, especially the AI components of UAVs, bridging between the principles and frameworks for assuring AI and autonomy already developed in York, and the requirements of airworthiness certification.

The overall problem is large, and the project is not intended to solve all of the problems and it will focus one of a number of key questions, e.g.:

• Can you specify design methodologies for AI/ML that underpin reliable & consistent evidencing of behaviour to support assurance arguments?
• Can you develop techniques that support evidencing AI/ML to a range of assurance levels (analogous to how DO178 levels A to E support corresponding DAL levels)?
• Can you develop techniques for continuous and through-life assurance (the assurance activity continues beyond the development and delivery of a system) to support rapid deployment and updates of UAVs?

The project will start with a literature survey, then will develop solutions to one of the above (or a related) research question, building on and extending established research results. The project will work on use cases (UAV designs and operational scenarios) defined with the industrial partner to help ground the work. There will be opportunities to validate the work in York, but also through work with the industrial partner on one of their sites. The outcomes should shape future processes for flight clearance of UAVs, leading to more rapid, yet safe, entry into service of future classes of UAV. There is an expectation that the student will produce and publish papers during their project either in conferences or in relevant journals.

Background on the underpinning research in York can be found at: https://www.york.ac.uk/assuring-autonomy/

You'll receive training and guidance in research, writing and presenting skills to support your development during your PhD. You'll also cover topics such as employability skills, research management and leadership, and graduate teaching assistant training.

In addition, York Graduate Research School works alongside the Department to offer high quality training, peer to peer support, professional development advice, and opportunities to engage others with your research.

Become part of our vibrant community and contribute to inspirational and life-changing research.

You will be based in the Institute for Safe Autonomy at the University of York - an exciting and welcoming hub for innovation and collaboration with a modern and inclusive working environment. In our lakeside home on Campus East, you'll benefit from world-class laboratories and collaboration spaces.

The University of York is located a short distance from York city centre. Our historic city is consistently voted as one of the friendliest, safest and best places to live in the UK.

Find out more about student life at York

Entry Requirements:

• This funded PhD opportunity is open to individuals eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK (Home) rate.
• You should hold or expect to achieve the equivalent of at least a UK upper second class degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent).
• We are willing to consider your application if you do not fit this profile, providing you are able to demonstrate that you have sufficient computer science knowledge and experience to succeed on the programme.
• We're sorry, on this occasion this opportunity is not available to international students, or to individuals who wish to study via distance learning.

Please submit your application online.

Please quote the project title "Safety of AI for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles" in your application.

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please email Prof John McDermid (john.mcdermid@york.ac.uk).

Funding Notes

This studentship is funded by the UKRI and supported by our industry partner, Qinetiq (View Website)

The successful applicant will be paid an enhanced annual living allowance that is made up of the standard UKRI stipend rate (2025/26 UKRI rate is £20,780) along with an additional top up from the industrial sponsor.

The studentship will cover postgraduate research fees at the UK (Home) rate for the duration of the PhD programme.

A generous Research Training and Support Grant will be provided to support your research-related activities.