Postgraduate research opportunities Agentic AI-based behaviour & intent prediction within aviation operations
ApplyKey facts
- Opens: Friday 11 July 2025
- Number of places: 1
- Duration: 4 years
- Funding: Home fee, Stipend
Overview
This project, funded by EPSRC and BAE Systems, provides unique access to industry-inspired problems, cutting-edge datasets, and collaboration opportunities with leading BAE Systems’ experts. You will work on innovative AI-driven solutions designed to augment human decision-making in mission-critical aviation contexts, addressing challenges like human-machine collaboration, cognitive overload, and trust in autonomous systems.Eligibility
We are looking for you to have:
- a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) or Masters degree in a relevant field (for example, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Human-Computer Interaction)
- strong understanding of agentic AI principles (for example, multi-agent large language models) and how they apply to dynamic, real-world scenarios
- hands-on experience with Machine Learning (ML) or AI systems development, including prototyping, testing, or real-time applications
- programming proficiency in Python or a similar language commonly used in AI/ML development
- strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in multi-disciplinary teams and present technical information clearly
It would be desirable if you had:
- experience with agent-based models, reinforcement learning, or probabilistic reasoning frameworks
- experience with knowledge representation and reasoning systems (such as knowledge graphs, ontologies) to model complex environments and support autonomous predictions
- knowledge of human-AI collaboration and human factors, particularly cognitive load management and user-centered interface design
- experience developing autonomous systems in real-world applications, such as robotics, defence, or real-time control systems
- familiarity with multi-sensor data fusion and real-time system integration
- awareness of ethical and legal considerations related to AI autonomy in safety-critical contexts
Project Details
The start date for this opportunity is 1 October 2025.
Human operators of defence platforms constantly interpret their surroundings to predict behaviours and intent with little conscious effort. This ability enables rapid decision-making in mission-critical scenarios, often determining the success or failure of operations. However, as operational environments grow more complex, featuring hundreds or thousands of participants and real-time sensor data, human cognitive limits are being stretched to the brink.
This PhD project aims to develop agentic AI-based systems capable of supporting human operators by predicting behaviours and intent autonomously while delivering trustworthy and explainable recommendations. These AI systems will enhance situational awareness, reduce human workload, and address critical ethical and operational concerns.
Project structure
- engage with key aviation stakeholders to identify technical, cultural, and operational challenges related to agentic AI behaviour prediction
- conduct a comprehensive literature review on prediction, inference methods, and agentic AI models under complex, dynamic conditions
- develop and propose potential AI-based solutions, collaborating with stakeholders to down-select the most promising concepts
- build and demonstrate agentic AI prototypes within synthetic sandbox environments to showcase practical applications
- collaborate with BAE systems experts to test, refine, and optimise the prototypes
- deliver final outcomes and recommendations, including operational guidance for implementing agentic AI-based solutions
Further information
As a UKRI-funded doctoral student, you will have access to:
- training, networking, and development opportunities
- additional funding for activities such as conference attendance, internships, and industry placements
Funding details
The studentship includes:
- a fee waiver equivalent to the home rate
- a tax-free stipend of approximately £22,700 per year, increasing annually with inflation, for up to 4 years
International students must cover the difference between home and international tuition fees through self-funding or external funding. We welcome both self-funded and externally funded applications.
Additional funding will be available to support training, conference attendance, internships, and placements with industry partners.
Home Students
To be eligible for a fully funded UK home studentship you must:
- Be a UK national or UK/EU dual national or non-UK national with settled status / pre-settled status / indefinite leave to remain / indefinite leave to enter / discretionary leave / EU migrant worker in the UK or non-UK national with a claim for asylum or the family member of such a person, and
- Have ordinary residence in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or British Overseas Territory, at the Point of Application, and
- Have three years residency in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, British Overseas Territory or EEA before the relevant date of application unless residency outside of the UK/ EEA has been of a temporary nature only and of a period less than six years
While there is no funding in place for opportunities marked "unfunded", there are lots of different options to help you fund postgraduate research. Visit funding your postgraduate research for links to government grants, research councils funding and more, that could be available.
Apply
To apply, contact Dr. Yashar Moshfeghi (yashar.moshfeghi@strath.ac.uk) with the subject line “EPSRC IDLA PhD Studentship (250050)”. Please include:
- a cover letter (max two pages) detailing:
- what your motivation is for applying
- how your background fits the project
- your proposed research direction, including a short literature review and specific research question (max two pages)
- an up-to-date CV
- academic transcripts and certificates
- proof of English proficiency (if required)
- two references, including one academic
Applications are based on first come first served. Interviews will be held shortly after applications are received. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a large, collaborative research network that is creating safer, fairer, and more accountable AI.
Number of places: 1
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