Fully Funded PhD Research Studentship

Fully Funded PhD Research Studentship
tax-free stipend of £20,870
Design, Informatics and Business
Fully Funded PhD Research Studentship

Project Title: Autonomous AI-powered red agents for enhanced cybersecurity

Please note, this is open to home students only.

PhD Studentship: CyberQuarter. The Studentship is available for an October 2025 start.

A PhD studentship that comprises tax-free stipend of £20,870 (increasing in line with UKRI per annum), tuition fees paid, and a generous study package (e.g., limited research consumables, travel budget, and training when appropriate) each year for 3 years. The studentship is fully funded for 3 years.

The pan-University Graduate School offers an integrated training programme to the postgraduate community within a single centre, serving to inculcate interdisciplinary working in our next generation of researchers.

Interviews will be online in late August/ early September.

Project Description:

Advances in AI are extending the capabilities of tools for penetration testing (i.e. red agents). However, due to a fragmented market, rapid technical developments, and nascent research the extent of capabilities and optimal solution architectures are not well understood. Current research identifies an active and growing research field, with numerous advancements in the past 18 months. A focus on generative AI agents has progressed capabilities towards exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities. Frontier models show superior performance when combined with a focused knowledge base and multi-agent architectures. However, in most cases human involvement is still required, and fully autonomous solutions are not yet evident. 

There are several aspects that should be considered: 

• The level of AI sophistication in terms of decision-making autonomy and human-machine teaming.
• The use of logic and data to make decisions, solve problems, and learn. Moving from rule-based systems to agents with strategic flexibility.
• The range and complexity of tactics, techniques, and procedures that are supported, as well as justification for actions taken.

This project aims to advance the state of AI-powered red agents by developing an adaptive multi-agent framework capable of learning about its environment and evolving attack scenarios. By enabling more realistic and dynamic adversarial simulations this project will support the creation of more effective cybersecurity testing, consequently strengthening organisational resilience against emerging threats. The proposed research question is: What design approaches enable an autonomous AI-powered red agent to effectively detect system vulnerabilities and emulate realistic adversarial behaviours?

The proposed approach will focus on developing a multi-agent AI framework that integrates traditional penetration testing methodologies with machine learning techniques and advanced generative AI models. This framework should be engineered to simulate a range of attack scenarios with high fidelity (i.e. exploitation of network and device vulnerabilities). Abertay University possesses a mature, well-engineered cyber-range which is available to the project to simulate a wide variety of target systems and set-ups. By combining established cybersecurity practices with adaptive AI-driven techniques, the framework aims to enhance the effectiveness of red team operations.

Supervisory Team: The candidate will be supervised within the Cybersecurity and Computing by Dr Jacques Ophoff, Dr Sanaz Kavianpour  and Dr Karl van der Schyff. Queries on this project should be directed to Dr Jacques Ophoff (j.ophoff@abertay.ac.uk).

Entry Requirements: Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, a first class or upper second-class honours honours degree in a computing, cybersecurity, ethical hacking (or equivalent), or a closely aligned discipline. We are seeking an independent, enthusiastic, and driven candidate with a strong understanding of AI and offensive security.

The successful candidate will have to have some experience of working with AI .

Candidates must work well with others and represent the university when working with key stakeholders (e.g., cyberQuarter partners and Scottish Government).

For applicants who are non-native speakers of English, the University requires IELTS of 7.0 (with no band less than 6.5) or an equivalent qualification accepted by the Home Office.

Applications and closing date: 8th of August 2025

Applicants should submit through the Abertay University jobs page https://www.abertay.ac.uk/about/working-at-abertay/jobs/, submitting a personal statement of application detailing why you are interested in undertaking this project, and a CV.

If you are selected for interview you will be required to complete an online Research Student Application Form which includes the submission of a research proposal. Guidance on how to write the proposal can be found here: https://www.abertay.ac.uk/study-apply/how-to-apply/how-to-apply-postgraduate-research/ Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Dr Jacques Ophoff (j.ophoff@abertay.ac.uk ) for advice on developing a proposal prior to submitting it.

Abertay is a small, modern University renowned for working across traditional research boundaries, pioneering in new and emerging disciplines and sectors. It was named one of the top 3 Modern Universities in the UK for Research Intensity by the Complete University Guide 2024.

According to the results of the Research Excellence Framework 2021, Abertay recorded 60% of its research judged as 'internationally excellent' or 'world-leading', a 23% increase since the last REF2014 – the biggest climb of any Scottish university. The University is committed to the principles outlined in the Vitae Researcher Development Framework and the Concordat to support the Career Development of Researchers.  Abertay postgraduate students are hosted in our vibrant, multidisciplinary https://www.abertay.ac.uk/schools/graduate-school/ Graduate School, designed to promote integration and collaborative working. You will be supported by expert supervision and an exceptional research environment. Abertay offer an extensive training and professional development program to enhance research excellence, impact and individual employability.

Abertay University recently opened a new Competitive Games Lab, a dedicated research facility partly funded by the Dundee City Council through the UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

We hold an Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze award and were the first Scottish University to achieve the Race Equality Charter Mark.

Entry requirements

Essential requirements:

Desirable requirements (but not essential)

First class or upper second-class honours degree in computing, cybersecurity, ethical hacking  or a closely aligned discipline. 

Masters of science level qualification in a relevant discipline

Knowledge of AI

Experience in working with key stakeholders in business and government

Proficiency in programming languages (C,C++, Python)

Knowledge of offensive security

Good scientific writing

Involvement in the preparation of articles for publication in scientific journal(s)

Data analysis skills

Knowledge of advanced statistical methods.

Good interpersonal and communication skills

Problem solving skills

For applicants who are non-native speakers of English, the University requires IELTS of 7.0 (with no band less than 6.5) or an equivalent qualification accepted by the Home Office.