University of Southampton
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6 days ago
PhD in Responsibility Gaps and AI Safety in Multiagent Systems University of Southampton in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Competition Funded PhD Project for students worldwide. Funding opportunities include Horizon Europe fee waivers covering the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students, Presidential Bursaries covering the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants, and school studentships typically covering UK-level tuition fees plus a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants. Funding is awarded on a rolling basis.
Deadline
Nov 30, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Southampton
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About this position
PhD opportunity at the University of Southampton in Responsibility Gaps and AI Safety in Multiagent Systems.
This project sits at the intersection of computer science, artificial intelligence, mathematics, philosophy, and systems engineering. It focuses on how responsibility gaps arise when decisions are distributed across autonomous agents, software services, robots, decision-support systems, or human decision makers. The research aims to develop computational methods to detect responsibility gaps, attribute collective failures, and support safer oversight under uncertainty and partial observability.
Possible methods include game theory, temporal/epistemic/deontic logics, formal verification, theorem proving, automated reasoning, and agent-based simulation. The project may involve formal definitions, attribution algorithms, an automated reasoning prototype, simulation-based evaluation, and guidance for accountable oversight and control. Example application areas include AI-assisted healthcare, shared-control autonomous systems, and AI-supported building management.
You will join doctoral training and research seminars within the Electronics and Computer Science environment and the Agents, Interaction and Complexity group at Southampton. The project is advertised as a competition funded PhD for students worldwide.
Eligibility highlights: UK 2:1 honours degree or equivalent in computer science, artificial intelligence, mathematics, engineering, or a closely related discipline. Strong analytical skills are expected; programming experience and independent research ability are advantageous. A relevant master’s degree is desirable but not essential.
Funding: Horizon Europe fee waivers, Presidential Bursaries, and school studentships may cover fees and/or provide a stipend for living costs, depending on the funding route and applicant ranking.
How to apply: Apply through the University of Southampton portal, select Research for 2026/27, choose the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, search for PhD Computer Science (7089), and include the supervisor name in section 2. Submit a research proposal, CV, two references, transcripts/certificates, and English language evidence if needed.
Deadline: 2026-11-30.
Funding details
Competition Funded PhD Project for students worldwide. Funding opportunities include Horizon Europe fee waivers covering the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students, Presidential Bursaries covering the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants, and school studentships typically covering UK-level tuition fees plus a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants. Funding is awarded on a rolling basis.
What's required
Applicants need a UK 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent in computer science, artificial intelligence, mathematics, engineering, or a closely related discipline. Strong analytical skills and an interest in mathematically grounded AI research are required. Applicants should be willing to develop formal models and implement computational prototypes. Desirable but not essential: experience in multiagent systems, mathematical or computational logic, game theory, formal verification or model checking, automated reasoning or theorem proving, agent-based modelling, AI safety, responsible AI, or autonomous systems. Programming experience and evidence of independent research ability are advantageous. A relevant master’s degree is desirable but not essential.
How to apply
Apply online and choose programme type Research for 2026/27 in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. Select full time or part time, search for PhD Computer Science (7089), and add the supervisor name in section 2. Prepare a research proposal, CV, two academic references, degree transcripts/certificates, and English language qualification if applicable.
More information can be found here
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