We're looking for individuals with a passion for robotics to join RoboStar, a centre of excellence for software engineering for robotics. Our work covers various aspects of model-based software engineering including modelling, simulation, testing and verification.
Our postgraduate researchers benefit from the significant real-world impact of RoboStar's research. Successful completion of the PhD programme could potentially lead to exciting career prospects with our project partners.
If you have strong programming and software engineering skills, then we'd love to hear from you. In return, we are offering a fully-funded studentship with a range of training opportunities and the chance to collaborate with industrial partners.
Our funded PhD studentships are open to applicants paying UK (Home) tuition fees.
Background
Robots can perform repetitive, difficult and time-consuming jobs, increasing operational efficiency across industries. The nuclear industry relies on physical protections to ensure robotic safety, creating a barrier to innovation.Aims and objectivesThe proposed research focuses on the development and demonstration of automated testing techniques for design and evidencing of robotic control software for nuclear decommissioning. The goal is to improve assessment of reliability for operational confidence, and to support safety cases.
Working with the UK National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL), The research will provide guidance on good practice, and associated techniques and tools to implement it, demonstrated in the development of a robot for nuclear decommissioning.
In more detail, the research will:
- Investigate how to mitigate the risks of using software;
- Establish a pathway to certifying software;
- Identify practices of programming suitable to the nuclear sector (architectures and languages);
- Address scalability and usability of advanced and automated testing techniques in the nuclear sector;
- Demonstrate robotic remote manipulation at National Nuclear User Facility (NNUF) using techniques developed in this work.
The advances will enable adoption of innovative solutions to nuclear decommissioning, accelerating the pathway to deploy demonstrably trustworthy robots according to industry-relevant good practice.
The project will utilise the industrial-scale National Nuclear User Facility (NNUF) Hot Robotics Facility at the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory, Workington.
Approach
The proposed research will use foundational work undertaken by RoboStar to provide tailored practical support to the nuclear sector.
Training and support
You'll receive training in broad research skills that will help you throughout your project.
You'll also benefit from a full training programme covering topics such as security, research management and leadership, collaborations, employability, public engagement and communication.
In addition, York Graduate Research School works alongside the Department to offer high quality training, peer to peer support, professional development advice, and opportunities to engage others with your research.
With co-supervision provided by the industry partners, this project will train you to become an expert in this area of software development and systems engineering to support nuclear decommissioning and other applications. You will develop the skills to apply modern software engineering techniques to design and verify mobile and autonomous robots.
You will learn about relevant regulations, modelling and testing to provide required evidence, and how to develop novel techniques to meet requirements as regulation evolves.
Start date
This PhD opportunity starts on 15 September 2025.
Location
You will be based in the Department of Computer Science at the University of York - an exciting and welcoming hub for innovation and collaboration with a modern and inclusive working environment. In our lakeside home on Campus East, you'll benefit from world-class laboratories and collaboration spaces.
The University of York is located a short distance from York city centre. Our historic city is consistently voted as one of the friendliest, safest and best places to live in the UK.
Eligibility criteria
This funded PhD opportunity is open to individuals eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK (Home) rate.
You should hold or expect to achieve the equivalent of at least a UK upper second class degree in a relevant discipline. We are willing to consider your application if you do not fit this profile, providing you are able to demonstrate that you have sufficient computer science knowledge and experience to succeed on the programme.
We're sorry, on this occasion this opportunity is not available to international students, or to individuals who wish to study via distance learning.
How to apply
Please submit your application online
Applications close on Friday 30 May at 23:59 GMT and early application is recommended. If we are impressed by your application, we will invite you to immediate interview and a decision will be made shortly afterwards.
Please quote the relevant project title in your application. As you are applying for a pre-defined project, you do not need to submit a research proposal.
Take a look at the supporting documents you may need for your application.
If you have any questions about this opportunity, please email ana.cavalcanti@york.ac.uk.
