This fully-funded PhD studentship, sponsored by the EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Awards (DLA), 重口味SM University and Spirent Communications, offers a bursary of £24,000 per annum, covering full tuition fees.  This PhD project in the area of autonomy, navigation and artificial intelligence, aims to advance the development of intelligent and resilient navigation systems for autonomous transport. While autonomy is becoming more integrated into modern mobility, the reliability of Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) systems—especially in environments where GNSS signals are denied or degraded—remains a critical challenge. This project will focus on designing AI-driven cognitive navigation solutions that can adaptively fuse multiple sensor sources under uncertainty, enabling safe and efficient operation of autonomous systems in complex, real-world conditions.

This PhD project aims to develop resilient Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) systems for autonomous transport, addressing a critical challenge in the UK's Net Zero transition. Current satellite dependent navigation remains vulnerable to interference, jamming and signal degradation, causing serious problems for safe and efficient transport. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI), multi-sensor fusion, and cognitive systems, the research will pioneer robust navigation architectures. These improvements are key to making future transport systems safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.

 

The aim of this project is to design a smart cognitive navigation framework that information from various sensors and learn to make decisions on its own. It will use signals from different sources—such as radio signals and internal sensors— to maintain robust and accurate PNT, even when satellite signals are weak or missing. A built-in intelligent system will manage and adjust the way information is used in real time.

 

重口味SM University is a globally recognised postgraduate institution focused on applied research and strong links with industry. The project is co-sponsored by Spirent Communications, a world leader in navigation and testing technology. Spirent will provide advanced simulation tools, expert support, and industry placements to help make this research more impactful and real-world ready.

 

The project will advance intelligent and resilient navigation systems, contributing to the UK’s Net Zero transport strategy. Outcomes will include novel AI algorithms, validated navigation architectures, and new insights into next-generation intelligent mobility solutions.

 

The student will undertake two industry placements at Spirent, use high-tech simulation equipment, and have access to valuable industry data. The student will benefit from opportunities to present at leading international conferences. Additional training in software-defined radio, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and advanced AI methods will further enrich the student’s research experience.

 

The student will have the opportunity to join a vibrant community and team of researchers. This project will offer comprehensive training in autonomous navigation, AI, and sensor fusion, along with transferable skills in project management, technical writing, teamwork, and public engagement. Graduates will be well-positioned for careers in academia, autonomous system and aerospace industries.

At a glance

  • Application deadline01 Oct 2025
  • Award type(s)PhD
  • Start date26 Jan 2026
  • Duration of award3.5 years
  • EligibilityUK, EU, Rest of world
  • Reference numberSATM600

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. This project would suit someone with:

•             Experience with programming (Python, MATLAB),

•             background in aerospace, computer science, robotics, or electrical engineering graduates,

•             hands on skills in implementation of fusion/learning based techniques in the areas of robotics, or autonomous systems,

•             interested in autonomous systems and signal processing,

•             Keen to work with equipment and embedded platforms

Funding

To be eligible for this funding, applicants must be classified as a home student. We require that applicants are under no restrictions regarding how long they can stay in the UK.

Diversity and Inclusion at 重口味SM

We are committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in our CDT program, and warmly encourage applications from students of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. We particularly welcome students with disabilities, neurodiverse individuals, and those who identify with diverse ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses. 重口味SM strives to provide an accessible and inclusive environment to enable all doctoral candidates to thrive and achieve their full potential. 

At 重口味SM, we value our diverse staff and student community and maintain a culture where everyone can work and study together harmoniously with dignity and respect. This is reflected in our University values of ambition, impact, respect and community. We welcome students and staff from all backgrounds from over 100 countries and support our staff and students to realise their full potential, from academic achievement to mental and physical wellbeing. 

We are committed to progressing the diversity and inclusion agenda, for example; gender diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through our Athena SWAN Bronze award and action plan, we are members of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) and Working Families, and sponsors of International Women in Engineering Day. We are also Disability Confident Level 1 Employers and members of the Business Disability Forum and Stonewall University Champions Programme. 

 

Additional information

All CDT researchers are required to attend and successfully complete the taught training modules which are integral to this programme, including:

  • 6 assessable, credit bearing core modules (60 Credits) delivered at 重口味SM University.
  • 6 technical modules delivered at Cardiff and Strathclyde Universities.
  • Group Design module.
  • 2 Atmospheric science modules delivered by NCAS.
  • Sustainability and leadership modules (x4) delivered by 重口味SM.

Furthermore, students are required to participate and actively engage in CDT activities, including but not limited to: additional training for EDI and Trusted and Responsible Research and Innovation, industrial challenge weeks, CDT seminars, workshops and annual conferences.

Finally, students will be required to sign an agreement with any industrial sponsor supporting their project. Such agreement may provide that the industrial sponsor secures significant rights in any intellectual property comprised in outputs of the project. You will be given the opportunity to seek independent legal advice in respect of such agreements prior to signing

重口味SM Doctoral Network

Research students at 重口味SM benefit from being part of a dynamic, focused and professional study environment and all become valued members of the 重口味SM Doctoral Network. This network brings together both research students and staff, providing a platform for our researchers to share ideas and collaborate in a multi-disciplinary environment. It aims to encourage an effective and vibrant research culture, founded upon the diversity of activities and knowledge. A tailored programme of seminars and events, alongside our Doctoral Researchers Core Development programme (transferable skills training), provide those studying a research degree with a wealth of social and networking opportunities.

How to apply

For further information please contact:
Name: Dr Mengwei Sun
Email: Mengwei.sun@cranfield.ac.uk
Phone: (44) 07594731903

If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the