PhD Studentships in Computer Science

Applications are invited from candidates with excellent first degrees in computer science, engineering, physics, maths, biology, neuroscience or other relevant disciplines to join projects as research students.

Funded PhD projects

Adaptive Systems Research Group

• Artificial Intelligence in Games
• Information and the Origin of Cognition: Principled Routes towards Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
• Information Theoretic Characterisation of Evolutionary Transitions
• Machine Learning, Decision-making and Stochastic Control

Biocomputation Research Group

• Application Driven Automatic Differentiation
• Brain-Computer Interfaces & their Applications
• Computational Modelling of Homeostatic Plasticity Mechanisms for Functional Recovery of Neuronal Networks after Peripheral Lesions
• Developing a machine learning framework for rapid surrogate optimisation of traction motors
• Developing new computational frameworks for high-dimensional neural data
• Explainable AI (XAI)
• Image and Video Analysis Using Machine Learning Algorithms
• Mathematical Modelling of Microglia and the Neuroimmune System
• Multi-level modelling of neuromodulation and lesioning

Cybersecurity and Computing Systems Research Group

• Empowering Federated Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) with Approximate Computing for Wearable Health Monitoring
• Evaluation and Improvement of an Autonomous Vehicles Communications Security over 5G Technology
• Exploring Large Language Models for Personalized Content Generation in VR/AR Environments
• Large Language Models and Cybersecurity
• Transformer-based approach for bug identification, summarization and classification
• Trust Models in Healthcare IoT Systems

Robotics Research Group

• End‐user personalisation of social/companion robot for long‐term engagement
• Enhancing Neuroaffective Intelligence in Human-Robot Interaction for Mental Health Support
• Epigenetic development in robotics systems for learning and long-term operation
• IoT Framework for Patients with Autism in Primary and Secondary Care Setting
• Machine Learning for Human-Robot Interaction

A limited number of studentships are available for exceptional candidates (£19,632 per annum bursary plus the payment of the student fees). Applicants from outside the UK or EU are eligible.

Research in Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire has been recognised as excellent in REF 2021, with 90% of the research submitted and all of the research impact rated as internationally excellent or world leading.

The University of Hertfordshire provides a very stimulating environment, offering a large number of specialised and interdisciplinary seminars as well as general training and researcher development opportunities. The University is situated in Hatfield, in the green belt just north of London.

More information and an application form can be found on the Doctoral Programme webpage via the above 'Apply' button.

Please email the application form to doctoralcollegeadmissions@herts.ac.uk.

Applications should also include two references and transcripts of previous academic degrees. The next short-listing process for studentship applications will begin on 1 May 2024.