Assured Runtime Control for Safe Autonomy (ARCS-A) [PhD in Engineering (Funded)] Ref: 5897

Supervisors

Professor Prathyush P Menon - University of Exeter - Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

Professor Christopher Edwards - University of Exeter - Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

Steve Austen

Modern autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs/UGVs) in defence operations require sophisticated AI/ML-based control systems for perception, decision-making, and adaptive responses in complex, unstructured environments where terrain can change abruptly. However, formally certifying these opaque learning-based components demands impractical resources, presenting critical safety assurance challenges and delaying the adoption of novel technologies. Our prior independent and DSTL-funded research has established foundational safety assurance techniques for autonomous systems:

This PhD will develop an assured runtime safety controller designed to enable autonomous systems to operate safely in dynamic environments. Developed in collaboration with SC Group Ltd., with applications to defence autonomous systems, the approach combines multiple techniques such as onboard safety monitoring, operating environment adaptation and real-time robust learning of uncertainties and nonlinearities within the dynamical system.

In this PhD, the aim is to simultaneously learn control policies and safety certificates—mathematical proofs that control decisions are safe. Data from system operation provides evidence that both the control and the proofs are valid. The proposed controller will prevent unsafe actions during the deployment of AI/ML-enabled functional blocks in the closed-loop control of AGVs/UGVs.

The University of Exeter’s Department of Engineering is inviting applications for a PhD studentship funded as part of the RAS Doctoral Training Studentship from DSTL to commence on 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.  For eligible students, the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £25,000 for 3.5 years full-time.  The student would be based in the Department of Engineering in the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy at the Streatham Campus in Exeter.

Entry requirements

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of Engineering/Robotics/Engineering Mathematics/Software Engineering with a good engineering background.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information.

How to apply

Apply now

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button above. In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents.

• CV
• Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).
• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)
• Two references from referees familiar with your academic work. If your referees prefer, they can email the reference direct to PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk quoting the studentship reference number.
• The closing date for applications is midnight on 17th August 2026. Interviews will be held virtually within ten date of this date.

All application documents must be submitted in English. Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided.

Please quote reference 5897 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

Summary