The University of Sussex in UK invites applications from UK, Europe and (Non-UK), International (Non-UK/EU) for the PhD Studentship: Sensing and Sampling Drone for Water Quality Monitoring for 2018 academic year.
Project details
A particular motivation to research and develop innovative mobile robotic systems is to facilitate activities carried out by humans in difficult, hazardous, or dangerous areas; and quadcopters have proven to be an excellent example to explore and perform tasks under such circumstances.
The aim of this project is to explore the capability of an autonomous or semi-autonomous drone for sensing and sampling water quality. In particular, this will be achieved through the development of an innovative sensing and sampling system for water quality measurements that can be implemented in a drone. The drone will be capable to detect water via image processing, and to navigate over water while sensing and sampling. The system will be able to detect changes in the water environment such as pH level, nutrients, contaminants, temperature, etc. so that it can assist applications such as aquaculture, drinking water, aquatic habitats, etc. which have great impact in socio-economical activities. This project will adopt embedded systems, mechatronic systems, image and information processing, and communication technologies to build a sensing and sampling system suitable for implementation on a drone.
Worth of Award
£14,777 tax free stipend plus UK/EU fees waiver.
Eligibility
- UK, Europe (Non-UK), International (Non-UK/EU)
- This project is one of a number ear-marked for funding by the University of Sussex Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Doctoral Training Partnership to commence in September 2018.
- This project is in direct competition with others for funding; the projects which receive the best applicants will be awarded the funding.
- Applicants will have an excellent academic record and should have received or be expected to receive a relevant first or upper-second class honours degree.
- Overseas (non EU) students are not eligible to apply for EPSRC funding, but they are welcome to apply if they have access to other sources of funding.
How to Apply
- Please apply for a PhD in Informatics via the University of Sussex postgraduate application system.
- Include a brief statement of your scientific interests and skills/experience for the mandatory “research proposal” section, including how they relate to this project (maximum two pages).
- Indicate Dr Luis Ponce Cuspinera as your preferred advisor and clearly state the title of the studentship in the finance section.
Deadline: applications close March 2, 2018.