Ze Ji

A fully funded 3.5-year PhD position is available at Cardiff University's School of Engineering, focusing on 'AI-Driven Scenario Generation for Sustainable PNT Resilience Testing in Automotive and Intelligent Mobility Manufacturing.' The project addresses the vulnerabilities of Positioning, Navigation & Timing (PNT) systems in autonomous mobility, such as vehicles and drones, especially in challenging environments like urban canyons and tunnels. Traditional PNT testing is costly and carbon-intensive; this research aims to leverage generative AI, reinforcement learning, and human-in-the-loop methods to create rare, safety-critical scenarios for simulation-based testing. The project is supported by industry partners Spirent and Tata Technologies, providing access to real-world testbeds and aligning with automotive industry workflows. The opportunity is open to both home and international applicants, with full funding (tuition and stipend) available. The application deadline is 9 January 2026, and the start date is October 2026. Applicants should have a strong background in computer science, robotics, electrical engineering, or related fields, with experience in AI and simulation being highly desirable.