Imperial College is consistently in the top 10 world university ranking. The Department of Computing is a leading department of Computer Science among UK Universities, and has consistently been awarded the highest research rating. In the 2014 REF assessment, The Department was ranked third (1^st in the Research Intensity table published by The Times Higher), and was rated as “Excellent” in the previous national assessment of teaching quality. The Department of Aeronautics is also ranked as leading by the 2014 REF assessment, recently investing £1.7m in Aerial Robotics research over the last 3 years and hosts the new Brahmal Vasudhevan Flight Arena at the South Kensington Campus.

The Department of Computing have two PhD studentships available:

PhD (1) covers the general Computer Science disciplines of distributed systems, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber-security and agent-based computing with regard to Sensor Networks, Internet of Things, Cyber-physical Systems and UAVs. This also includes the study of bargaining, trust, and crowd sourcing activities.

PhD (2) is in conjunction with the Department of Aeronautics and is more focused on UAVs from both a Computer Science (swarming, intelligence, resource management, and communications) point of view and from a Mechatronics and System Design viewpoint. In addition this work will contribute towards the S4 project which aims to provide unifying science for smarter sensor based systems to ensure the development and deployment of verifiable, reliable, autonomous sensor/actuator systems that operate in uncertain, multiple and multi-scale environments.

To apply for either of these studentships you will need to be educated to MSc level or equivalent with a good degree in Computer Science, Electrical or Electronic Engineering, Mathematics or IT-related discipline. Candidates who are only education to Bachelor’s degree level will not normally be considered. Applicants to PhD (2) would ideally have a degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aeronautics as they must be able to demonstrate knowledge of Mechatronics and Flight Control.

Applicants need to demonstrate strong research potential and are therefore asked to include a Research Statement. This should be no longer than 700 words, and is not a personal statement. It should provide a basic proposal of work and should illustrate your ability to assemble knowledge together, critique it and provide a reasoned argument for your ideas. However it is not a commitment to carry out the exact research described.

The PhD programme will begin in October 2016 and you will be based at the South Kensington campus. PhD (1) will be primarily supervised by Prof. Nick Jennings in association with Prof Julie A. McCann, PhD (2) will be primarily supervised by Prof Julie A. McCann in association with Dr Mirko Kovac. For further related information see:

wp.doc.ic.ac.uk/aese

www.imperial.ac.uk/aerial-robotics

www.imperial.ac.uk/about/leadership-and-strategy/provost/vice-provost-research

How to Apply: Please follow the instructions at www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/apply/how-to-apply remembering to include your Research Statement, CV, and any research papers etc. that you think will help your application. Please state your PhD position preference.

For applications queries please contact Dr. Amani El-Kholy at: [email protected]. For research related enquiries please contact Prof J.A. McCann [email protected].

Closing Date: 8th July 2016 (midnight)