The University of Leeds Institute for Transport Studies is offering a fully funded PhD studentship focused on inclusive automated vehicle (AV) perception, specifically understanding the crossing behaviour and movement signatures of mobility-impaired pedestrians. This research aims to make AVs safer and more inclusive by improving their ability to interpret the intentions of pedestrians who use wheelchairs or have mobility limitations. The project is supervised by Associate Professor Yee Mun Lee, with additional supervision from Yue Yang and Natasha Merat OBE, all based at the University of Leeds.

The research will address significant gaps in current AV perception systems, which often overlook the diverse movement patterns of mobility-impaired individuals. The student will conduct a literature review, analyze existing datasets (such as SHAPE-IT), and design experiments or field studies involving participants with mobility impairments. The goal is to inform the development of AV intent recognition systems that are inclusive of all pedestrian groups, thereby enhancing safety and accessibility in future transport systems.

This project is ideal for candidates with backgrounds in psychology, engineering, artificial intelligence, computer science, or human factors. Applicants should be curious, motivated, and eager to contribute to impactful research. The studentship is open to all nationalities and provides full tuition coverage plus a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per year for 3.5 years, funded by the EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award. The research will be conducted within the Human Factors and Safety Group and Virtuocity at the Institute for Transport Studies, leveraging state-of-the-art simulation and prototyping facilities.

Applicants must hold at least a 2:1 bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant scientific discipline, or demonstrate strong performance at the master’s level. Engineering candidates should have an interest in human factors, while psychology candidates must possess strong programming and analytical skills. Non-native English speakers must meet the University’s language requirements (IELTS 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each component). Required application documents include transcripts, a personal statement, and a CV.

The application deadline is 27 February 2026, with the project commencing in September/October 2026. Applications must be submitted online via the University of Leeds portal, selecting 'EPSRC DLA Environment' as the course and clearly stating the project title and supervisor. This is a competitive award, and securing an academic offer does not guarantee funding. For informal inquiries, candidates may contact Dr Yee Mun Lee at [email protected] or via LinkedIn.