Pervasive Robotic Control of the Invasive Alien Species Floating Pennywort Hydrocotyle Ranunculoides

Floating pennywort is one of the UK’s most damaging invasive species, rapidly forming dense mats that choke waterways, reduce biodiversity, and increase flood risk. This PhD tackles the problem head‑on by developing autonomous aquatic robots capable of detecting, collecting, and managing pennywort across the Calder catchment. Building on emerging environmental robotics research, the project combines computer vision, ecological insight, and real‑world field robotic trials to create a scalable, long‑term solution that suppresses regrowth after essential large‑scale manual removal. The robot will operate continuously, monitor regrowth in real time, and respond instantly, offering a transformative new approach to ecosystem invasion resilience.<br /> <br /> The overarching aim is to develop a pervasive, long‑term deployable autonomous field robot capable of detecting and manipulating Floating Pennywort Hydrocotyle ranunculoides in real environments. The project will develop high‑confidence detection models using computer vision and leaf reflectance spectroscopy; design and manufacture a robust aquatic manipulator; integrate detection, collection, and autonomous decision‑making; and evaluate performance through lab testing and field trials.<br /> <br /> This PhD will advance autonomous environmental robotics and deliver evidence‑based methods for controlling pennywort. It will generate publishable results in detection, manipulation, and long‑term deployment, and has strong potential to reshape invasive species management and inform future policy and funding.<br />

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><strong>Background</strong><br /> Floating pennywort is a rapidly spreading invasive species that forms dense mats which block waterways, damage ecosystems, and increase flood risk. Invasive non native species collectively cost the UK economy around £4 billion per year, with floating pennywort alone responsible for over £25 million annually in economic and environmental losses across Great Britain and Europe. Manual removal is essential but short lived, as regrowth can occur within weeks at up to 20cm a day. This project addresses a critical national need by developing autonomous aquatic robots that provide continuous monitoring and targeted intervention, protecting biodiversity and safeguarding the long term effectiveness of large scale removal efforts.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><br /> <strong>Methodology</strong><br /> The project combines experimental robotics, computational perception, and field‑based ecological validation. Detection models will be developed using computer vision and leaf‑reflectance spectroscopy, trained on controlled datasets and refined through iterative testing. A water‑deployable manipulator will be designed, prototyped, and evaluated using laboratory rigs and aquatic test tanks. Autonomous decision‑making and navigation will be implemented on embedded systems and integrated with a robotic platform for real‑world trials. Field experiments across the Calder catchment will assess long‑term performance, regrowth suppression, and reliability under natural environmental conditions, ensuring the robot’s readiness for persistent autonomous deployment.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><br /> <strong>Skills Required</strong><br /> Applicants should hold a first‑class or high 2:1 degree in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline. Essential skills include competence in programming (e.g., Python/C++), computer vision or machine learning, and hands‑on experience with robotics, embedded systems, or mechanical design. Desirable experience includes aquatic or field robotics, environmental monitoring, spectroscopy, or autonomous systems. The ideal candidate will be motivated by interdisciplinary work, comfortable engaging with ecological partners, and capable of independent experimentation, problem‑solving, and long‑term system development in real‑world environments.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><br /> <strong>Industry/external partners</strong><br /> This project is supported by key external partners central to invasive species management across Yorkshire. The River Stewardship Company (RSC) will provide the operational expertise in pennywort removal. Yorkshire Water, the Environment Agency, Canal & River Trust, and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust will contribute ecological knowledge, site access, and strategic guidance. The Yorkshire Invasive Species Forum (YISF) will support coordination across regional stakeholders and provide insight into long‑term management priorities. Together, these partners enable real‑world trials, data collection, and deployment opportunities, ensuring the research directly informs practical, scalable approaches to controlling floating pennywort.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"> </p>

<p>To apply for this project you will need to <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">make a formal application for research degree study through the University's website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN. </p> <ul> <li>For <strong>‘Application type’</strong> please select <strong>‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’. </strong></li> <li>The <strong>admission year</strong> for this project is<strong> 2027/28 Academic Year.</strong></li> <li>You will need to select your <strong>‘Planned Course of Study’</strong> from a drop-down menu. For this project, scroll down and select <strong>‘EPSRC DLA (Engineering, Biological Sciences, Medicine)’ </strong></li> <li>The project start date for this project is <strong>01/10/2027</strong>, please use this as your <strong>Proposed Start Date of Research</strong>. </li> <li>Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong>‘Pervasive Robotic Control of the Invasive Alien Species Floating Pennywort Hydrocotyle Ranunculoides’ </strong>as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/staff/6970/dr-george-jackson-mills">Dr George Jackson-Mills</a> as your proposed supervisor.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Please state clearly in the finance section that the funding you are applying for is EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award 2027/28: Mechanical Engineering.</strong></p> <p>You will be required to provide a personal statement which outlines your interest in the project you are applying for, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirements of the project. </p> <p><strong>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of 18 November 2026 or at the point you submit your application:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date including grading scheme</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to research degree programmes in the School of Mechanical Engineering should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the supervisor or Admissions Team prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>A highly competitive EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA) providing full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate (currently £21,805 in academic session 2026/27) for 3.5 years and rising annually, in line with standard UKRI rates. Training and support will also be provided.</p> <p>This opportunity is open to UK applicants only. </p> <p><br /> <strong>Competition funded  </strong></p> <ul> <li>"Competition funded" means that we advertise a larger number of projects than available awards. Not all projects advertised for this funding opportunity will receive funding. The selection panel will consider all applications received across the full range of advertised projects and select the awardee/s based on the strength of their application. </li> </ul> <p><br /> <strong>Eligibility Criteria </strong></p> <ul> <li>Applicants must be eligible to pay fees at the Home (UK) rate.</li> </ul> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /> <strong>Other Conditions</strong></p> <ul> <li class="MsoNoSpacing">Candidates who have previously been awarded a PhD or are currently registered on a PhD are excluded from applying. Those who were previously studying for a PhD but did not complete may be considered. </li> <li>Awards must be taken up by 1st October 2027.</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> </ul> <p><br /> If you are unsure whether you are eligible for UK fees/funding, please see our <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-fees/doc/fee-assessment">fee assessment page.</a></p> <p> </p>

<p>For further information please contact the PGR Admissions Engineering and Physical Sciences team on this email address: <a href="http://phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk/">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>If you are interested in this project or have any questions, please contact the project supervisor <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/staff/6970/dr-george-jackson-mills">Dr George Jackson-Mills</a> on this address: <a href="mailto:G.Jackson-Mills@leeds.ac.uk">G.Jackson-Mills@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>