Tyre / surface interface using AI

Apply and key information  

This project is funded by:

    • Department for the Economy (DfE)
    • Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Summary

This project will use AI to investigate the tyre / surface interface using Agile Transformation as its basis. The project is founded on 40 years experience and collaborative networks with investigating this interface by the Lead PI. To keep abreast of exponential growth in real world customer demands and uncertain requirements, Agile principles will be used to fast-track impact made possible by the rapid emergence of AI technologies.

The project will challenge the traditional role of the business model, the research process; its structure and culture. The project will collate and integrate a diverse range of data sources. The AI based technologies will create new understanding and create impact across the road, vehicle and tyre industries.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

  • Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

  • Department for the Economy (DfE)
  • Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.

These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

Recommended reading

Dingsøyr, T., Nerur, S., Balijepally, V. and Moe, N.B., 2012. A decade of agile methodologies: Towards explaining agile software development. Journal of systems and software, 85(6), pp.1213-1221.

Farroni, F. et al. (2014). A physical-analytical model for a real-time local grip estimation of tyre rubber in sliding contact with road asperities. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering, 228(8), pp.955-969. doi:10.1177/0954407014521402.

Friel, S. (2013) Variation of the friction characteristics of road surfacing materials with time. PhD thesis, Ulster University.

ISO (2023). Digital twin - Concepts and terminology. BS/ISO/IEC 30173.

Kishel, K., Woodward, D. and Millar, P., 2024, July. Development of Racetrack Grip Triangular Irregular Networks from Field Data. In International Conference on Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Pavements (pp. 32-38). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.

Rathore, M.M., Shah, S.A., Shukla, D., Bentafat, E. and Bakiras, S. (2021). The role of AI, machine learning, and big data in digital twinning: A systematic literature review, challenges, and opportunities. IEEE Access, 9, pp.32030-32052. doi:10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3060863.

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 24 February 2025
04:00PM

Interview Date
April 2025

Preferred student start date
15 September 2025

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr David Woodward

Other supervisors