Connectionists: PhD in Computing Science - Computational Intelligence for algorithmic support of teams in data-intensive contexts

[Roderick Murray-Smith]

PhD in Computing Science - Computational Intelligence for algorithmic support of teams in data-intensive contexts

A key challenge in data science and AI is how best to bring human insight, sophisticated analysis algorithms and large amounts of time-critical data. Many environments such as emergency or military services present a highly complex environment in which crews need to make potentially critical decisions relating to platform command and control, threat evaluation and interactions with other elements of the service. To make those decisions effectively they must be able to assimilate large quantities of information regarding their surroundings.
Thales is involved in systems design for vehicles with rapidly increasing levels of sensor and information systems, designed to give crew improved situation awareness. Such systems require Sensor Fusion to combine data from multiple sources. They apply Information Management and Information Exploitation (IM/IX) to filter raw data into information that is useful to the crew and require Information Presentation to provide the information such that vehicle crews can make correct and timely decisions.

This Ph.D. studentship between the University of Glasgow, Quantic and Thales Scotland will explore the topic of Human-Machine teaming in situations with time-sensitive decision making, cognitive and data overload and significant information uncertainty. The project will explore the use of machine learning and other AI techniques to help fuse multi-source information and provide decision support for a team of humans.

Collaboration background Thales and the University are already working together in a project with QinetiQ and other industrial partners relating to how best to design information and control systems for vehicles in challenging urban environments. The student will have the opportunity to work with topics such as machine learning, sensor fusion algorithms and human-computer interaction.

Thales will provide access to vehicle subsystems and data gathering tool sets. The Information, Data and Analysis Section of the University of Glasgow has wide-ranging skills in Machine learning, Computational Interaction Design and Vision systems, and is also part of the Quantum Imaging Hub, all of which are highly relevant for this task, so the student will have a range of skill sets and approaches to support them within the University. The work has Computational Interaction at its heart: Computational interaction applies computational thinking (abstraction, automation, analysis) to explain and enhance interaction between a user and a system. It is underpinned by modelling which admits formal reasoning, and which is amenable to computational approaches, and draws on insight from machine learning, signal processing, information theory, optimisation, Bayesian inference, control theory and formal modelling. This is an area the University of Glasgow has been leading development in, so the research brings together leading edge machine learning and developments in computational interaction to address challenging problems in human/data/algorithm interaction.

Research structure The research will involve analysis of the team roles, the design of example artificial agents which will act as virtual team members, will track team member attention and behaviour to monitor whether they are currently performing appropriately, or whether data or cognitive overload is kicking in, and decide whether they need extra support. This could include:

a) Dynamically changing degrees of freedom in sensing and control for different participants depending on their load, reducing the data flow to a level that is achievable in the current context.

b) Dynamic approaches to transitioning between human and machine control in a team setting, such that algorithmic semi-autonomous agents take over certain tasks, to permit the human team members to focus on critical aspects.

c) Use of Machine learning tools to analyse variability and uncertainty in information flows, with the goal of using this information to prioritise the most important and reliable information for decision makers.

The work will be based around a number of mini-projects, together with colleagues at Thales, where adaptations of specific challenges associated with their ongoing projects are linked in to the ongoing fundamental research in the Ph.D. The student will be primarily based at the University, but is expected to spend time at the Thales offices in Glasgow appropriate to the project work scope, and which could include data gathering and experimentation. This will allow novel ideas to be tested in a context that is relevant to the company, and where the staff at Thales have strong benchmarks to compare the performance with. Students will gain experience of both academic research and industry.

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Funding Notes
Funding is available to cover tuition fees for UK/EU applicants for 3.5 years, as well as paying a stipend at the Research Council rate (estimated £15,285 for Session 2020-21). This role will require Security Check (SC) Clearance. If not currently held it is expected that the post holder will undergo SC Clearance, please visit the UKSV website for further guidance. View Website<https://www.findaphd.com/common/clickCount.aspx?theid=123059&type=184&DID=2252&url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.gov.uk%2fgovernment%2fpublications%2funited-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels>

How to Apply: Please refer to the following website for details on how to apply:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/research/opportunities/howtoapplyforaresearchdegree/<https://www.findaphd.com/common/clickCount.aspx?theid=123059&type=184&DID=2252&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.gla.ac.uk%2fresearch%2fopportunities%2fhowtoapplyforaresearchdegree%2f>.
https://www.gla.ac.uk/study/applyonline/?CAREER=PGR&PLAN_CODES=G500A-7201<https://www.findaphd.com/common/clickCount.aspx?theid=123059&type=184&DID=2252&url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.gla.ac.uk%2fstudy%2fapplyonline%2f%3fCAREER%3dPGR%26PLAN_CODES%3dG500A-7201>
and please contact me directly on Roderick.Murray-Smith at glasgow.ac.uk<mailto:Roderick.Murray-Smith at glasgow.ac.uk>

Professor Roderick Murray-Smith
Head of Section, Information, Data and Analysis Section,
Inference, Dynamics and Interaction Research Group
School of Computing Science
University of Glasgow
Phone: +44 141 330 4984
Web: http://www.dcs.gla.ac.uk/~rod
An t-Ollamh Ruairidh Murray-Smith
Ceannard Roinne, Roinn Fiosrachaidh, Dàta agus Anailis
Buidheann Rannsachaidh air Oidheam, Dinimigeachd agus Eadar-obrachadh
Sgoil Saidheans na Coimpiutaireachd
Oilthigh Ghlaschu



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