About the project
Artificial intelligence is transforming cybersecurity while creating new challenges for the security and trustworthiness of AI systems. This PhD opportunity addresses research challenges across AI for Security and Trustworthy AI, developing novel methods, systems and frameworks for cybersecurity and trustworthy artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence is becoming a critical component of modern digital infrastructure. Machine learning and large language models are increasingly used to detect cyber threats, automate security operations and support decision-making. At the same time, AI models and AI-enabled applications introduce new security challenges, creating a growing need for secure, robust and trustworthy AI systems.
This PhD forms part of a broader research programme in AI for Security and Trustworthy AI. Research projects may focus on AI for cybersecurity, trustworthy and secure AI systems, or the intersection of these areas.
Potential research directions include:
- AI-powered cyber threat detection, analysis and response, including malware analysis and network intrusion detection
- vulnerability discovery, prioritisation and remediation
- AI for cybersecurity challenges, including threat intelligence, security operations and user behaviour analytics
- adversarial machine learning and robust AI
- security of large language models, generative AI, AI agents and AI-enabled applications
A central theme of the programme is the design and study of systems that remain effective under realistic conditions. Research may involve developing new algorithms, security mechanisms, system architectures or evaluation frameworks that account for adaptive attackers, emerging threats, distribution shifts and operational constraints.
You will join an active research environment spanning cybersecurity and trustworthy AI, with opportunities to contribute to internationally recognised research while addressing some of the most pressing challenges in securing modern AI systems and digital infrastructures. The project offers considerable flexibility to shape a research direction aligned with your interests while contributing to advances in both theory and practice.
The School of Electronics & Computer Science is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.
