Fully-funded PhD: Simulation and AI for Defence Applications

Company Description

The University of Birmingham, a leading member of the prestigious Russell Group, has been advancing knowledge and delivering exceptional teaching and research for over 100 years. Known as the original 'redbrick' university, it offers a world-class campus and research facilities, including sector-leading high performance computing facilities and unique experimental imaging capabilities, both of which will be heavily utilised in this project.

Role Description

This is a full-time position focused on Simulation and AI for Defence Applications. The successful candidate will be involved in conducting cutting-edge research in simulation (notably including computational fluid dynamics and/or discrete element method models) and artificial intelligence.

The successful candidate will be strongly supported in gaining deep expertise in diverse and highly transferable skills, including rheology, spectroscopy, and advanced imaging techniques, including rare access to unique capabilities found only at the University of Birmingham, such as industrial-scale Positron Emission Particle Tracking, and cutting-edge Terahertz Raman spectroscopy.

On the computational side, they will develop and apply a broad range of highly-transferrable digital tools, from high-fidelity simulations to symbolic regression and AI-driven optimisation methods, again including unique frameworks developed at the University. These capabilities are in high demand across multiple sectors, and as such will arm the successful candidate with a track record and skill set placing them ideally for rapid advancement in their later career.

The project will be conducted in close collaboration with a UK-based Defence company, ensuring strong industrial relevance and the opportunity for direct impact. The candidate will contribute to addressing challenges of critical national and international importance, with clear pathways to uptake within the UK’s sovereign capability frameworks.

For full details of the role, please contact Prof. Kit Windows-Yule (details below).

Funding

All fees will be fully covered by the University, with the successful applicant receiving a standard EPSRC stipend plus an additional uplift of ~£4,000 per annum, equating to a total, tax-free annual stipend of £25,000 (approximately equivalent to a gross PAYE starting salary of £30k).

The successful candidate will also have access to a separate budget for travel and training.

Qualifications

A strong academic background in a relevant field such as Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related discipline. A Master’s degree is advantageous but not necessary.

While strong programming skills and/or experience applying numerical modelling and/or AI tools is advantageous, we will also consider less experienced candidates with a willingness to learn. We do not expect any candidate to be proficient in the full range of tools to be used in the project.

The successful candidate will be part of a large and highly-skilled interdisciplinary team, and will receive extensive training and upskilling in the relevant methodologies.

To apply, please contact Prof. Kit Windows-Yule (c.r.windows-yule@bham.ac.uk).