PhD Studentship: Fully Funded EPSRC DTP and Swansea University PhD Scholarship: Digital Biometrics from Neurocognitive Fingerprints

Funding providers: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Swansea University's Faculty of Science and Engineering

Subject areas: Computer science

Project description: 

DNA, fingerprints, iris patterns, and these biometrics uniquely identify a person. Can the same be said of our brain activity and behavioural patterns? This project will pioneer the concept of neurocognitive fingerprinting: quantifying the uniqueness of the human brain and behavioural data and estimating their potential to be used as novel digital biometrics.

This project will combine sensitive behavioural paradigms, hierarchical generative models, and cutting-edge neuroimaging. We will use computational models to quantify human behavioural and electrophysiological (electroencephalography) data. From model inferences, we then construct an individual’s digital fingerprints. The project will then estimate (1) the uniqueness of the human digital fingerprint; and (2) the minimum amount of empirical data required to estimate one’s digital fingerprint. For information security, such digital biometrics holds promise for novel authentication methods that cannot be easily attacked by others, preventing identity fraud.

We welcome enthusiastic applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, including computing, neuroscience, psychology, engineering or physics. We will provide training in advanced statistical analyses, computational modelling and brain signal analysis. The PhD candidate will join a collaborative and multidisciplinary AI research group at Swansea University Computational Foundry. Computational Foundry is a £32.5 million world-class that hosts the School of Mathematics and Computer Science, and the PhD candidate will be a member of this vibrant research community.

Eligibility

Candidates must normally hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in Computer Science, Mathematics or a closely related discipline, or an appropriate master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University).

English Language requirements: If applicable – IELTS 6.5 overall (with at least 6.0 in each individual component) or Swansea recognised equivalent. 

This scholarship is open to candidates of any nationality.

Funding Details

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £17,668 for 2022/23). 

Additional research expenses will also be available. 

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