University of Southampton
Top university
Just Landed
New Today
PhD in Resilience of Connected Autonomous Vehicles Under Cyber Attack University of Southampton in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
The project is competition funded. No stipend amount or detailed tuition-fee coverage is provided in the supplied text.
Deadline
Dec 18, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Southampton
Apply for this position
Keywords
Suggested positions
About this position
This PhD project at the University of Southampton will investigate how connected autonomous vehicles can remain safe, reliable and operational when exposed to cyber attacks.
The research will address vulnerabilities created by vehicle sensors, wireless communications and artificial intelligence. You will study how malicious manipulation of sensing, communication and control systems can be detected and mitigated in real time, how attacks propagate through complex autonomous vehicle architectures, and how autonomous systems can continue operating safely when components are compromised or behaving maliciously.
The project takes a cyber-physical systems approach, bringing together cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, systems and control engineering, autonomous vehicle technologies and digital twins. Potential research methods include threat modelling, anomaly and intrusion detection, robust control, state estimation and fault-tolerant decision making.
Methods developed during the PhD will be tested experimentally using representative attack scenarios and an instrumented connected autonomous electric vehicle platform. The work has applications in future transport, logistics, defence and security, particularly in contested or adverse environments where autonomous systems must maintain safety and performance despite cyber threats.
The project is hosted within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences and offers an interdisciplinary research environment focused on resilient connected autonomous systems.
Funding details
The project is competition funded. No stipend amount or detailed tuition-fee coverage is provided in the supplied text.
What's required
Applicants are expected to hold a 2:1 honours degree. The project combines cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, systems and control engineering, autonomous vehicle technologies and digital twins; relevant preparation or skills in these areas would be advantageous, although no further specific requirements are stated.
How to apply
Review the project and the University of Southampton's postgraduate research application guidance, then submit an application for the Doctor of Philosophy project through the university's postgraduate research application process before 18 December 2026.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.