Robust Synchronisation of Large-scale Dynamic Networks

This project aims to address the problem of synchronisation in interconnected multi-agent networks under the influence of uncertainty and external disturbances. This will be done based on foundational studies of feedback control's robustness in the presence of uncertainty and disturbances. The central role of feedback, a well-explored concept in dynamical systems theory, will be harnessed to mitigate the impact of unmeasured disturbances and desensitize the network to uncertainty's effects. A general dissipativity-based framework will be adopted for analysing synchronisation in interconnected multi-agent networks subject to disturbance and uncertainty, with a particular focus on accommodating nonlinear and time-varying dynamics or uncertainty in the agent dynamics within the framework for synchronization. Given the inherently nonlinear nature of real-world systems and the presence of unpredictable events such as component failures, communication link disruptions, and adversarial attacks, achieving robustness against various uncertainties originating from the network is our primary objective.

This research will require and rely heavily on a control-theoretic and mathematical background.

We require applicants to have either an undergraduate honours degree (1st) or MSc (Merit or Distinction) in a relevant science or engineering subject from a reputable institution.

Full details of how to apply can be found at the following link:

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/acse/research-degrees/applyphd