PhD Studentships in Computer Science

Applications are invited from PhD studentship candidates with good first degrees in computer science, physics, maths, biology, neuroscience, engineering or other relevant disciplines to join projects in the Centre for AI and Robotics Research.

Funded PhD projects

Adaptive Systems Research Group

• Artificial Intelligence in Games
• Continual and Open-ended Reinforcement Learning
• Information and the Origin of Cognition
  Natural and Artificial Intelligence and Robotics from First Principles
• Sustainability: Characterization and Principles 

Biocomputation Research Group

• Advancing Automatic Differentiation for Real-World Optimisation and AI Applications
• Brain-Computer Interfaces & their Applications
• Computational Neuroscience:  Reinforcement Learning and Microzones in the Cerebellum
• Explainable Generative Assessment Systems: Toward Trustworthy AI for Complex Educational Evaluation
• Image and Video Analysis Using Machine Learning Algorithms
• Mathematical and Computational Neuroscience, from neural data and network dynamics to
  neuroaesthetics
• Modelling Oscillations in Human Immune & Neuroimmune Cells
• Multi-level modelling of neuromodulation and lesioning
• Multimodal Machine Learning for Psychological Profiling
• Optimizing Routes in Unpredictable Environments

Robotics Research Group

• Adaptive and Continual Learning for Socially Intelligent Robots
• Designing Evolutionary Games for Therapeutic Interaction
• End-user personalisation of social/companion robot for long-term engagement
• Expanding the applicability of the social robot, Kaspar, to diverse user groups
• Machine Learning for Human-Robot Interaction
• Neuroethology applications for HRI
• Smart adaptive extrusion technology for 3D printing
• Socially intelligent assistive robots
• Social norms and the credibility of interactive robots in safety-critical scenarios

A limited number of studentships are available for exceptional candidates (approximately £20,700 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 PhD Programme webpage via the above ‘Apply’ button .

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

Applications should also include two references, a copy of your passport and transcripts of previous academic degrees. The next short-listing process for studentship applications will begin on 14 November 2025.