PhD Studentship: Trustworthy AI for Industrial Applications

The project:

The deployment of generative AI—particularly Large Language Models (LLMs) based on transformer architectures—in industrial settings poses several critical challenges. Ensuring reliable and deterministic AI outputs is critical. This requires robust design principles and architectural changes to reduce variability and integrate smoothly with industrial control systems. Enhancing transparency and explainability of AI decisions is equally important, requiring innovative methods to build trust among stakeholders and ensure compliance with stringent industry standards. Additionally, balancing efficiency and sustainability in AI deployment poses a significant challenge, calling for advances in model design and training to reduce environmental impact while maintaining high performance. Safety assurance and risk management frameworks are crucial to validate AI models against rigorous safety standards, addressing potential failures and ensuring safe operations in critical environments.

The Trustworthy Systems Lab at the University of Bristol, in partnership with Toshiba Europe Ltd., invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship focused on designing trustworthy and deterministic architectures for generative AI in industrial environments. This interdisciplinary project addresses critical challenges posed by the deployment of AI in real-world industrial systems—such as unpredictability, lack of transparency, safety assurance, and sustainability. You will work at the forefront of AI research, exploring formal and dynamic verification methods, explainable AI, and data space integration to ensure AI models deliver reliable, transparent, and auditable decisions in complex industrial contexts.

This project offers an exciting opportunity for you to shape the next generation of industrial AI through cutting-edge research on real-world industrial applications. A minimum three-month placement at Toshiba will enable you to understand the commercial drivers behind the research, ensuring the research aligns with industry needs. With direct industry collaboration and academic mentorship, your work will have tangible impact on safety, sustainability, and performance of industrial systems.

How to apply:

Prior to submitting an online application, you will need to contact the project supervisor to discuss.

Online applications are made at http://www.bris.ac.uk/pg-howtoapply. Please select ICASE Trustworthy AI For Industrial Applications on the Programme Choice page. You will be prompted to enter details of the studentship in the Funding and Research Details sections of the form.

Candidate requirements: 

Applicants must hold/achieve a minimum of a merit at master’s degree level (or international equivalent) in a science, mathematics or engineering discipline. Applicants without a master's qualification may be considered on an exceptional basis, provided they hold a first-class undergraduate degree. Please note, acceptance will also depend on evidence of readiness to pursue a research degree.

If English is not your first language, you need to meet this profile level: Profile E
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Funding:  Minimum tax-free stipend at the current UKRI rate is £20,780 for 2025/26.

For eligibility and residence requirements please check the UKRI UK Research and Innovation website.

Stipend: basic UKRI

Industrial top-up of £35,000 in total

RTSG £7,000 in total

Contacts:

For questions about the research topic, please contact Kerstin Eder (Kerstin.Eder@bristol.ac.uk).  

For questions about eligibility and the application process please contact Engineering Postgraduate Research Admissions admissions-engpgr@bristol.ac.uk

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