Opportunities
1. Why join ReFLEX Lab?
- Cutting-edge research: Work on impactful problems at the intersection of real-time systems, robotics, AI, and cyber-physical systems
- Collaborative environment: Join a supportive team of researchers working on interdisciplinary projects
- Strong track record: Our lab has published in top-tier conferences and journals (RTSS, RTAS, EMSOFT, TC, TCAD, etc.)
- Industry connections: Opportunities to collaborate with industry partners and apply research to real-world problems
- Resources and facilities: Access to state-of-the-art computing facilities, robotic platforms, and experimental setups
- Professional development: Opportunities to present at international conferences, participate in summer schools, and build your academic network
2. PhD Opportunities
A PhD at ReFLEX Lab is a transformative 3-4 year journey where you’ll conduct groundbreaking research, develop deep expertise, and contribute to advancing the state-of-the-art in real-time systems and cyber-physical systems. You’ll join a supportive community of researchers working on projects that have real-world impact.
What You’ll Gain
- Deep Expertise: Become a leading expert in your chosen research area
- Research Skills: Learn to identify problems, design solutions, and validate your work
- Professional Network: Build connections with leading researchers and industry professionals
- Career Flexibility: Open doors to careers in academia, industry R&D, or entrepreneurship
- Personal Growth: Develop resilience, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
Research Directions
I’m excited to supervise PhD students in the following areas. Each direction offers exciting opportunities to make significant contributions:
(R.1) Scheduling and Allocation of Real-Time Systems
Design the next generation of scheduling algorithms for complex computing platforms. Work on:
- Novel scheduling methods for multi-core and many-core systems
- Interference and contention modeling for modern architectures
- Scheduling on heterogeneous platforms (CPU-GPU, CPU-FPGA)
- Real-time guarantees for safety-critical applications
Why it matters: As systems become more complex, efficient scheduling is crucial for autonomous vehicles, aerospace systems, and industrial automation.
(R.2) Digital Twins for Real-Time Embedded Systems
Build virtual replicas that enable real-time monitoring, optimization, and verification. Explore:
- Dynamic modeling and verification of real-time systems
- Using digital twins to improve scheduling and resource allocation
- Fault and hazard identification through simulation
- Predictive maintenance and performance optimization
Why it matters: Digital twins are revolutionizing how we design, operate, and maintain complex systems — from aircraft to smart factories.
(R.3) Timing Assurance in Robotics and AI
Ensure robots and AI systems meet strict timing requirements. Investigate:
- Timing assurance for robotic and autonomous systems
- Multi-robot coordination and scheduling
- Timing analysis of ROS2 executors and robotic frameworks
- Probabilistic models and formal methods for timing guarantees
Why it matters: As robots become more prevalent in warehouses, manufacturing, and daily life, ensuring they operate safely and predictably is critical.
(R.4) Design and Verification of Long-Lived Cyber-Physical Systems
Develop methods to ensure CPS remain safe and reliable over their entire lifetime. Focus on:
- Using digital twins for continuous system improvement
- Formal verification techniques for CPS
- Adaptive systems that evolve safely over time
- Long-term reliability and maintenance strategies
Why it matters: Many CPS operate for decades (e.g., aircraft, power plants). Ensuring their safety throughout their lifetime is a grand challenge.
(R.5) Hardware for Real-Time Systems and Internet-of-Things
Design efficient, safe, and secure hardware for real-time applications. Work on:
- Specialized hardware for real-time and IoT applications
- Instruction set architectures (ISA) optimized for real-time systems
- Hardware-software co-design for timing predictability
- Security-enhanced processors for critical systems
Why it matters: Hardware design is fundamental to system performance and security. Projects like SCHEME are developing next-generation processors for aerospace.
How to Apply
Getting Started: I’m always happy to discuss research ideas and potential projects! Please email me at xiaotian.dai (at) york.ac.uk with:
- Your research interests and how they align with our lab
- Your background and relevant experience
- A brief research proposal or ideas you’d like to explore (proposal guidelines)
Entry Dates: Standard entry times are October and April, but we can discuss alternative starting dates to suit your circumstances.
Funding Opportunities
We have multiple funding pathways available:
- University Studentships: The University of York offers competitive studentships covering tuition fees and a living stipend. Find details and deadlines here.
- Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) Programs
Join a cohort of students in specialized training programs:
- China Scholarships Council (CSC): If you’re from China, the CSC scholarship provides excellent funding opportunities. Learn more here.
- Project-Specific Funding: Some projects (like SCHEME) may have associated funding opportunities. We can discuss these during your application process.
- Self-Funding: Self-funding is also an option. I actively work to secure additional funding opportunities for students, including short-term research assistant positions, teaching assistant roles, and equipment allowances. We can discuss these opportunities during your application.
💡 Tip: Apply early! Funding deadlines are typically in January/February for October entry. I’m happy to help you identify the best funding route for your situation.
3. Visiting Researchers
We welcome visiting PhD students and professors from universities worldwide! Visiting our lab is a great way to:
- Collaborate on joint research projects
- Learn new techniques and methodologies
- Build international research connections
- Experience the vibrant research environment at the University of York
How to Arrange a Visit
- Check Visitor Information: Review the University’s academic visitor guidelines
- Visa Requirements: If you’re from outside the UK, check visitor visa information
- ATAS Certificate: You’ll need an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate to conduct research in the UK
- Contact Me: Email me at xiaotian.dai (at) york.ac.uk to discuss your visit, research interests, and potential collaboration
We’re happy to host visitors for short-term collaborations (weeks to months) or longer research stays. Let’s discuss how we can make your visit productive and enjoyable!
4. Guide for UG/MSc students
ReFLEX lab is open for supervising UG/MSc projects related to real-time and cyber-physical systems. All of our projects are research-informed and most have a connection with real-world systems.
Some example projects are:
- Scheduling of large groups of robots in warehouse
- Traffic scheduling for smart transportation
- Discrete simulation of Routerless Network-on-Chips
- Real-time task scheduling and resource allocation algorithms
- Timing analysis and verification tools for embedded systems
- Digital twin development for cyber-physical systems
- Simulation frameworks for real-time systems
- Performance modeling and prediction
- Virtual testing environments
Current Student Projects
Our current UG students are working on exciting projects including:
- Adaptive decentralized coordination for robotic swarms
- Imitation learning for humanoid robots
- Criticality-aware scheduling for multi-robot systems
- Edge AI for real-time anomaly detection
- People detection for autonomous retail systems
How to Get Involved
- Check Department Lists: Review the departmental project lists when they’re published
- Propose Your Own: Have an idea? We welcome self-defined projects that align with our research
- Contact Me: Email xiaotian.dai (at) york.ac.uk to discuss potential projects
Note: Project availability varies by term. Contact me early to discuss opportunities and ensure we can provide appropriate supervision.
Questions?
I’m always happy to chat about research opportunities, funding, or any questions you might have. Don’t hesitate to reach out:
Email: xiaotian.dai (at) york.ac.uk
Looking forward to hearing from you!