PhD Opportunity – Explainable AI - U niversity of Manchester & Manchester Airports Group

Dear colleagues,
We invite applications for a fully funded PhD studentship within the UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Decision-Making for Complex Systems<https://www.ai-decisions-cdt.ac.uk/>, a joint initiative between the University of Manchester and the University of Cambridge.

Project title: Explainable AI for Passenger Flow and Commercial Decision-Making in Complex Airport Systems

Supervisors: Professor Julia Handl<https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/julia.handl> and Dr Ali Hassanzadeh<https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/ali.h> (University of Manchester)

Industry partner: Manchester Airports Group (MAG<https://www.magairports.com/>)

Application deadline: 5 December 2025

This project will develop advanced AI methods to support decision-making in complex, data-rich environments. Using large-scale, aggregated, and anonymised data from airport operations, retail transactions, and passenger movement, the research will focus on:

  *
Modelling multi-modal spatio-temporal data under uncertainty
  *
Developing explainable and probabilistic AI models (e.g., graph neural networks, Bayesian deep learning)
  *
Building simulation-based decision support frameworks for operational and commercial optimisation

The successful candidate will work closely with MAG’s data analytics team, gaining access to a unique real-world dataset and contributing to both academic and applied outcomes.
Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) a first-class or upper second-class degree (or equivalent) in computer science, data science, engineering, or a related discipline, and have a strong interest in machine learning and AI for decision-making.
For further information and application details, please visit this link<https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/explainable-ai-for-passenger-flow-and-commercial-decision-making-in-complex-airport-systems/?p177088> or email Ali Hassanzadeh at [email protected].
Application Details:
https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/explainable-ai-for-passenger-flow-and-commercial-decision-making-in-complex-airport-systems/?p177088
AI CDT website:
https://www.ai-decisions-cdt.ac.uk/


------------------
Ali Hassanzadeh, PhD |  Assistant Professor in Management Science
Alliance Manchester Business School<https://www.alliancembs.manchester.ac.uk/research/management-sciences-and-marketing/>, The University of Manchester<https://www.manchester.ac.uk/>
ali.h [AT] manchester.ac.uk  |  Website<https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/ali.h.html>

[cid:632a355e-dd13-4e4e-970a-86b21c2c85ca]<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/[email protected]?anonymous&ep=bwmEmailSignature>
Book time to meet with me<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/[email protected]?anonymous&ep=bwmEmailSignature>


**********************************************************
*
*   Contributions to be spread via DMANET are submitted to
*
*                   [email protected]
*
*   Replies to a  message carried  on DMANET should NOT be
*   addressed to DMANET  but to  the original sender.  The
*   original  sender,  however,  is invited  to prepare an
*   update  of the replies  received and to communicate it
*   via DMANET.
*
*    DISCRETE MATHEMATICS AND ALGORITHMS NETWORK (DMANET)
*      http://www.zaik.uni-koeln.de/AFS/publications/dmanet/
*
**********************************************************