automation PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Loughborough University Loughborough Business School

Advancing public service design in the age of digitalisation: Can public service ecosystems manage digital decarbonisation under austerity?

As governments worldwide accelerate the adoption of digital technologies to enhance service delivery (eg service automation, smart cities, connected infrastructure etc), understanding the environmental consequences becomes paramount. Read more

Supervisors: Dr K Broadhurst, Prof I Hodgkinson

17 May 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

University of Plymouth Faculty of Science and Engineering

Smart nutrient sensor networks using miniaturised optical and electrochemical detection

Applications are invited for a 3.5 years PhD studentship within the Environmental Intelligence doctoral training programme at the University of Plymouth. Read more

Supervisor: Dr S Ussher

26 April 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

University of Nottingham Faculty of Engineering

UK Atomic Energy Authority and University of Nottingham sponsored PhD scholarship – Extra-long compliant snake robot capable of self-localization for inspection in fusion power plants

Applicants are invited to undertake a 3-year PhD program in partnership with the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to address key challenges in robotic deployment systems enabling repair automation. Read more

Supervisor: Dr X Dong

Year round applications PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

University of Liverpool School of Environmental Sciences

Maritime autonomy for safe, fuel efficient port operations

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Net Zero Maritime Energy solutions (N0MES) has a 4-year funded PhD place available for an exceptional researcher. Read more

Supervisors: Dr J Higham, Prof A Plater

20 May 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

5G Indoor Positioning Utilizing Self-Morphing Wall-patch and Circular Polarization MIMO Transceivers for Smart Factories.

Supervisors: Dr TS Saeidi, Dr NT Timmons, Dr SS Saleh, Dr S Unnikrishnan

The Postgraduate Research Programme Innovation in Digital Manufacturing and Design (IDMD) offers 12 PhD research scholarships to commence in 2024. Read more

29 April 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Integration of body-worn sensors and 5G/6G in human interfacing with Industry 4.0/5.0 actuator systems and control.

Supervisors: Dr NT Timmons, Dr SS Saleh, Dr DT Tormey

The Postgraduate Research Programme Innovation in Digital Manufacturing and Design (IDMD) offers 12 PhD research scholarships to commence in 2024. Read more

29 April 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Injection Mould Tooling, Efficiency Enhancement Through Design Optimisation and Advanced Post-Processing Methods for Metal 3D-Printed Tooling

Supervisors: Dr DT Tormey, Dr M McAfee, Dr IM Manolakis, Dr NT Timmons

The Postgraduate Research Programme Innovation in Digital Manufacturing and Design (IDMD) offers 12 PhD research scholarships to commence in 2024. Read more

29 April 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Automated re-configuration for Material Handling and Inspection in Advanced Manufacturing

Supervisors: Dr P Long, Dr PG Greaney, Dr D Duraibabu, Dr J Saad

The Postgraduate Research Programme Innovation in Digital Manufacturing and Design (IDMD) offers 12 PhD research scholarships to commence in 2024. Read more

29 April 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Swansea University School of Mathematics and Computer Science

Computer Science: Fully Funded EPSRC and RCNDE PhD Scholarship: Real time tracking of cognitive load to assess human factors during inspections

Funding providers: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and RCNDE. Subject areas: Human-Computer Interaction, Machine Learning. Read more

Supervisor: Dr M Ahmad

29 April 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Robotic handling and inspection of complex materials using tactile and visual feedback.

Supervisors: Dr E Kerr, Dr P Long, Dr RS Redmond

The Postgraduate Research Programme MedAgriTech AI eXcellence (MATX) offers 12 PhD research scholarships to commence in 2024. Each project will include an enterprise placement of minimum 12 weeks duration. Read more

29 April 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Aberdeen University School of Natural and Computing Sciences

Enhancing long-term evaluation and monitoring of responsible AI deployments in medical context

The University of Aberdeen is an internationally recognised centre for excellence for research addressing the global challenges of energy transition, environment and biodiversity, social inclusion and cultural diversity, health, nutrition and wellbeing, and data and artificial intelligence. Read more

Supervisors: Dr M Markovic, Prof L Anderson, Dr R Ducato

13 May 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Adaptive Control of Robotics for Assembly in Space Applications.

Supervisors: Dr P Long, Dr E Kerr, Dr J Saad, Prof JDK Kelleher

29 April 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

University of Sheffield Department of Mechanical Engineering

SELF-FUNDED 3.5-YEAR PHD – Automatic segmentation of femur using deep learning combined with phantomless calibration for rapid personalised fracture risk predictions in clinical applications

We are excited to announce a new PhD opportunity in the areas of modelling, biomechanics & deep learning. The project is in collaboration with multiple NHS Trusts including the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Read more

Supervisor: Dr X Li

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Cranfield University School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing (SATM)

Enhancing Cybersecurity through Automated Real-Time Threat Response PhD

Join our exciting PhD program in Security Automation and be at the forefront of changing the way we protect ourselves from cyber threats. Read more

Supervisor: Dr ST Tedeschi

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Nottingham Trent University School of Science & Technology

Last chance to apply

Metamaterials and Tuneable Design for Force Regulation and Vibration Isolation

The 4D Materials and Printing Lab in the Department of Engineering at Nottingham Trent University is seeking to recruit a PhD student for the EPSRC funded research project. Read more

Supervisor: Dr M Bodaghi

20 April 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

University College London Department of Mechanical Engineering

Integrated Vessel Health Management (IVHM) for the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS)

Project ID. 2228cc1457 (You will need this ID for your application). Research Theme: Engineering. UCL Lead department: Mechanical Engineering. Read more

Supervisor: Dr Y Liu

6 May 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

University of Salford School of Science, Engineering and Environment

Postgraduate Research at the School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford

At the School of Science, Engineering and Environment (SEE), University of Salford more than 280 postgraduate researchers (PGRs) and 200 academics conduct research that was rated in the 2021 Research Excellent Framework (REF) as “world-leading or internationally excellent” (78%) and as generating “outstanding innovative impact” (88%). Read more

Awaiting Funding Decision/Possible External Funding PhD Opportunities

Funded PhD Programme (Students Worldwide) EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training

Fully funded 4-year studentships at the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Sustainable Chemical Technologies: A Systems Approach

University of Bath

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Sustainable Chemical Technologies. A Systems Approach at the University of Bath is offering fully funded, 4-year studentships to start 30 September 2024. Read more

Digital Routes to Next Generation Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells

Supervisors: Prof M J Rosseinsky, Dr B Peng

A key technology in the drive towards net-zero emissions is the production of green hydrogen by electrolysis powered by renewable energy. Read more

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Kingston University Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment

Robust perception, decision making and path prediction for autonomous vehicles

Development of autonomous vehicles are seeing a grown in many different applications. As we increase the levels of automation and move into Self-driving cars, it is expected that these systems will combine a variety of sensors to perceive their surroundings in a robust manner and avoid human errors. Read more

Supervisor: Dr O Duran

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Kingston University Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment

Robust perception, decision making and path prediction for autonomous vehicles

. Development of autonomous vehicles are seeing a grown in many different applications. As we increase the levels of automation and move into Self-driving cars, it is expected that these systems will combine a variety of sensors to perceive their surroundings in a robust manner and avoid human errors. Read more

Supervisor: Dr R Benhadj-Djilali

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Digital Exploration of Novel Polymeric Materials for Structural Composites

Supervisors: Dr N Berry, Dr T Hasell

Structural composites materials are used in a vast number of applications from aerospace to sport and recreation. Read more

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

High-throughput discovery of new materials as functional coatings on glass for net-zero applications

Supervisors: Prof M J Rosseinsky, Dr T Manning, Dr R Potter, Prof P R Chalker

This studentship will develop and implement a high-throughput magnetron sputtering workflow for optoelectronic materials discovery as thin film coatings on glass. Read more

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Computational exploration of substrates and interfaces for thin film solar cells

Supervisors: Dr M Dyer, Dr T Manning

To address the challenge of net-zero carbon a diverse energy generation landscape is required of which photovoltaics (PV) is a major constituent. Read more

31 May 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Charles University Faculty of Pharmacy

Automated methodologies for analytes of biological and pharmaceutical interest based on luminiscence detection

Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Department of Analytical Chemistry . Detection of fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection belong to the most sensitive techniques that can be used for analyte detection and quantification. Read more

Supervisors: Assoc Prof H Sklenářová, Dr B Horstkotte

30 April 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

University of York School of Physics, Engineering and Technology

Revealing the correlation between physiology and physical chemistry of microcalcification in connective tissue using AI supported tissue characterization.

A fundamental component of human body is connective tissue which serves various structural and supportive functions including skin integrity, abdominal wall enforcement and bone formation. Read more

Supervisors: Dr M Chauhan, Dr R Kroger

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield Business School

Sheffield Hallam University - Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) Scholarships in the Sheffield Business School: Meaningful Work and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Hospitality Industry

Applications are invited for Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) PhD scholarships in the Sheffield Business School, commencing 7 October 2024. Read more

Supervisors: Dr A Ali, Dr DG Graham

26 April 2024 PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

University of York Department of Computer Science

Autonomous Robots for Gloveboxes

If you are interested in robotics, and have strong programming and software engineering skills, this could be a project for you. Successful completion of this project could lead to career prospects inside the UKAEA. Read more

Supervisor: Prof A Cavalcanti

Year round applications PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Keele University Faculty of Natural Sciences

Harnessing continuing flow and automated reaction technologies for synthetic and electrocatalytic transformation

This exciting, multi-disciplinary research project is related to significant DSTL funding recently obtained by our group. Harnessing several modern technologies (including flow chemistry and automation) the project will incubate new approaches to organic and inorganic synthesis. Read more

Supervisor: Dr M O'Brien

1 May 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)