Resilient digitalised critical infrastructure

The world is becoming increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. At the same time, our Critical Infrastructure is becoming increasingly dependent on digital technologies, introducing new strengths and vulnerabilities as advances in communications, networking, robotics, sensing, data processing, AI and edge and cloud computing are made.All this rapid change gives rise to unforeseen disruptions that are increasingly difficult to predict, in part because they cascade through the digitally interconnected fabric of our society. 

Research will be driven by the major challenges associated with achieving resilience in critical infrastructure systems, maintaining their ability to function across digital, physical and human aspects in the face of change, disruption and attack. This is a multi-faceted agenda covering many aspects of resilience-building, including: resilience-by-design; understanding, modelling and managing complexity; planning for uncertainty and risk; cyber resilience; trustworthiness and measurement; and the use of data, digital tools and AI.

Students will join a multidisciplinary cohort of up to 10 students across the Universities of Surrey and Strathclyde.  Students will develop their PhD projects in conjunction with the supervisory team and industry partners as part of their initial foundational training, which includes training in resilience-building as well as multi-disciplinary team challenge projects, with the aim of establishing a “resilience mindset” in students – the ability to be self-directed, generate questions, solve complex problems, collaborate across traditional `silos’ and continuously learn and adapt.

Our industry stakeholders will also provide access to facilities across a range of sectors, including communication, timing, power and transport.

Open to any UK or international candidates.

You will need to meet the entry requirements for our PhD programme.

Applicants will normally hold a first or upper-second class degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent overseas qualification), or a lower second plus a good Masters degree (distinction normally required). Relevant disciplines include computer science, mathematics, physics, engineering, management, psychology, law and sociology. Applicants should be comfortable with mathematics.  

We are keen to consider applicants coming through non-traditional routes such as a return from industry, a change of career, or a period of leave, and will consider candidates with equivalent experience who do not have the formal academic qualifications. We are committed to supporting Diversity Equality and Inclusion and therefore open to discuss alternative modes of study.

Ideally applicants should be capable of achieving UK clearance or equivalent.​

Computer Science Research Centre