Transport Maps for New Age of Global Turbulence PhD

We are recruiting a PhD student (FT, but open to PT and MSc by Research discussions) to conduct research in developing new maps for a world that is increasingly turbulent, changing with climate and geopolitics, and challenged by emerging technology. The opportunity is self-funded initially, but we will be actively seeking sponsorships as results develop.

We are interested in how to create useful maps, navigate through challenges, and create dashboards to engage end-users. The academic areas of research include human-computer-interface (HCI), Geographic Information System (GIS), and Transport Systems.

The project aim is to develop new maps that ingest information that current maps do not have, propose navigation routes that current systems do not consider, and engage in user experience.

Prof. Weisi Guo leads the Human Machine Intelligence Group comprises of over 20 PhD and Post-Doctoral researchers working in applied artificial intelligence for a range of transport, aerospace, and defence sectors. It holds major research grants in autonomy, trust, communications, and computing. You will join a vibrant and active community in making breakthroughs in the ICT area and work with domain experts to publish in the best papers including, Nature, Nature Comm., and top IEEE/ACM journals.

The expected impact is to create a map dashboard that revolutionises travel in the next century and engage in the user community to create a dynamic mapping interface that adapts to needs and rapidly changing landscape.

Whilst this is a self-funded PhD, you can be motivated by knowing that the group supports all travel, conference, and software development costs, and will work with its wide stakeholder base to help with scholarships and follow-up funding to support the PhD and career opportunities. We hope that engagement with the group, key stakeholders in UK and Europe, and experience of being supervised by a leading research group will be enrichening.

Key Papers and Weblinks: 

• Research Group Link 
• "Retool AI to Forecast and Limit Wars," Nature, 2018.
• “Climate Change and Security,” UK Parliament POST, 2022.
• "Impact of Geographic Diversity on Citation of Collaborative Research" MIT Quantitative Science Studies, 2023.

The opportunity should appeal to students with an imaginative and risk-taking mentality. It requires a hands-on approach to believe in the high risk high reward end-goals.

It is suitable to any student with a first or second class UK honours degree (or equivalent) in the domains of: 

• computer science,
• geography,
• information systems and management,
• information and electronic engineering.

Those with a keenness for software development or programming, and humanitarian work will enjoy this opportunity.