Integration of multi-sensory technology solutions to use visual and acoustic sensor systems for wildlife and eco-system monitoring (Ref: FP-PL-2024/ CENTA2025-LU6)

Assessment of the ecological health of the UK’s wildlife and its complex interactions with a range of stimuli including agricultural practice, urbanisation, climate change effects, etc. is a key national target. Techniques combining Artificial Intelligence with an Internet-of-Things framework offers significant opportunities to augment current assessment practices to higher levels of coverage, detail and data quality. It is proposed to undertake multi-disciplinary approach to develop and evaluate new multi-sensory technologies and methods to automate long-term data collection of ecological relevant metrics associated with insect, bird and mammal behaviours.

This project will work collaboratively with an existing 33-acre biodiverse privately funded field site, supported by the National Forest Company, the Forestry Commission, the Woodland Trust and Leicestershire County Council allowing access to a wildlife corridor, a variety of bio–diverse habitats including ancient woodland, managed forestry, wildflower meadow, designated parkland, grazing land, an arboretum and freshwater pond environments. A successful candidate would need to be able to combine technology development and implementation with experimental data collection and interaction with ecological project management. This role offers significant opportunity to gain multidisciplinary experience working closely with fellow engineers, a variety of ecological subject experts as well as landowner management teams and related stakeholders.

The School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering has seen 100% of its research impact rated as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' (REF, 2021).

Supervisors

• Primary Supervisor: Prof. Paul Lepper
• Secondary Supervisor: Dr Wen Claire Guo

Entry requirements

Applicants will normally need to hold, or expect to gain, at least a 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Engineering or an appropriate Master’s degree.

English language requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Fees and funding

This studentship which is partially funded by NERC, provides a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per annum (in 2024/25) and tuition fees at the UK rate for 3.5 years. It also provides a Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £8,000. Due to UKRI funding rules, no more than 30% of the studentships funded by this grant can be awarded to International candidates, but successful International candidates will have the difference between the UK and International tuition fees provided by the University.

How to apply

1. Complete a CENTA studentship application form in Word format (available from http://www.centa.ac.uk/apply/ or https://centa.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply/).
2. During the online application process, upload the CENTA studentship application form as a supporting document. Please quote Centa 2025-LU6 when completing your online application.
3. Applications should be made online. Under programme name, select ‘Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering/Electronic, Electrical & Systems Engineering’ and quote the advert reference number FP-PL-2024/ CENTA2025-LU6 in your application. To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit your CV and the minimum supporting documents.
4. Application closing date is midnight (UK time) on Wednesday January 8th 2025. Interviews for short-listed candidates are expected to be held in the period Monday February 3rd – Friday February 14th 2025. The following selection criteria will be used by academic schools to help them make a decision on your application. 

Apply now