PhD Studentship: Resource optimal link scheduling scheme for data delivery in marine applications using Space-Air-Ground-Sea Integrated Networks SAGSIN

DoS Dr Fatma Bouabdallah: (fatma.bouabdallah@plymouth.ac.uk)

2^nd Supervisor Dr Muhammad Asad: (muhammad.asad@plymouth.ac.uk)

3^rd Supervisor  Dr Bogdan Ghita: (bogdan.ghita@plymouth.ac.uk)

Applications are invited for a 3.5-year PhD studentship.

The studentship will start: 1^st October 2025.

Project Description

6G Space-Air-Ground-Sea Integrated Networks (SAGSIN) are envisioned to connect satellite, aerial, ground, and sea networks to provide connectivity everywhere and all the time. However, how to coordinate these networks and manage heterogeneous resources to satisfy the requirements of different applications remains to be solved. In this project, we investigate the resource management-based link scheduling in SAGSIN for marine applications. The major enabler for these applications is the provision of low-delay, and reliable wireless coverage to the ever-increasing number of underwater sensors. In fact, once marine data are generated by underwater sensors, it can be scheduled to access an appropriate network of SAGSIN and an appropriate node on that network while respecting the link lifetime, energy efficiency and latency to ensure efficient delivery to the onshore station. Indeed, forwarding this data in a multihop scheme to reach first the surface ships or buoys won’t be enough to ensure delivery to the onshore station. Thus, a possible data transfer to specially launched UAVs with a preplanned trajectory may facilitate delivery to the final destination. Given that UAVs are energy constrained, offloading the data to satellites that can reach the onshore station wherever deployed either directly or through terrestrial IoT networks is an attractive solution. Given the mobility and resource constraint of the underwater sensors, UAVs, and satellites, along with their sensitivity to environmental conditions, deriving the optimal link to be used at each layer at every time is a challenging large scale scheduling problem.

The successful candidate will work closely with expert researchers and contribute to high-impact publications. This studentship is an exciting opportunity to develop innovative AI solutions that will enhance coverage of hard-to-reach areas, real time data delivery, and UAVs trajectory planning, shaping the future of 6G SAGSIN communication.

Eligibility

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject and preferably a relevant Masters qualification. Applications from both UK and overseas students are welcome.

The studentship is supported for 3.5 years and includes full Home tuition fees, Bench fee plus a stipend of £20,780 per annum 2025/26 rate.  The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for Home fees with relevant qualifications.  Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates.  The international component of the fee may be waived for outstanding international applicants.

NB: The studentship is supported for 3.5 years of the four-year registration period.

The subsequent 6 months of registration is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ period.

If you wish to discuss this project further, please contact:

Dr Fatma Bouabdallah, fatma.bouabdallah@plymouth.ac.uk.

To apply for this position please click the Apply button above.

Please clearly state the name of the studentship that you are applying for on your personal statement.

Please see here for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 28^th March 2025.

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