PhD in Applied Informatics

The Context

Are you considering pursuing a PhD in Applied Informatics to help create a better world? Look no further than Edinburgh Napier University. Ranked as the top modern university for research power in Scotland, Edinburgh Napier also holds the 10^th position among young universities in the UK and is ranked among the top 600 universities overall worldwide according to the prestigious THE World University Rankings 2025. Through its Doctoral College, the University further enriches the PhD experience promoting interdisciplinary research, cultivating a strong sense of community, and providing world-class professional development and networking opportunities that strengthen both research outcomes and student success.

The Applied Informatics group is part of the School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment, the largest of the five schools at Edinburgh Napier University. With a practical focus on adding value to the social, cultural, and economic capital of the communities it serves, recently the School has invested heavily in research staff and facilities, making it an excellent environment for those seeking to embark on a PhD journey.

Located in the heart of Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland and one of the most liveable cities in the world, the School offers not only world-class academic opportunities but also an exceptional quality of life. The medieval Old Town and the elegant Georgian New Town, the beauty of Arthur’s seat and the fascinating Calton Hill; the vibrancy of the life, and the large and international student population; cultural events like the Fringe festival make the city one of the best places to live in the world. In 2024, Edinburgh was named the top city in the world for expat families in a Travel + Leisure ranking and QS ranks it as the second-best student city in the UK in 2026.

The studentships and the research projects

The School continues to invest in research excellence through a significant number of fully funded 3-year PhD studentships. The studentships will cover full UK or international tuition fees and will include a standard living allowance at the RCUK rate (currently £21,383 per annum, normally increased annually). International applicants should note that visa application costs and the NHS health surcharge are not included in the studentship, and successful applicants will need to cover these expenses themselves.

Students are expected to spend at least 36 hours a week on their research project, and to attend the University in person for most of their time. Normally, they will be based at the Merchiston Campus (10 Colinton Road, EH10 5DT).

The Applied Informatics group is looking for students to work on one of the following projects

• Optimising research efficacy: Research literacy and information practices of novice and expert researchers
• Agile Coaching activity within an Organisational Learning context.
• Multimodal Applications for Cognitive Differences
• Socially-assistive robots and voice assistants for older adults
• Two is better than one: The effect of multiple robots in human-robot interaction
• Playful engagement with Politics in the time of misinformation
• Actor-Controlled Interactive Sound Design in Live Theatre Performance
• Interactive Sound Mapping and Embodied Listening for Long-Term Public Engagement with Anthropogenic Marine Noise
• Exploring Techno-Spiritual Experiences for Place-Based Interaction
• Networks of Play: Community Building, Tools, and Engagement in the Games Industry
• Designing and Personalisation of Social Robots
• Embodied AI for Wellbeing: Exploring the Opportunities for Social Robots
• Robots Dancing to Salsa
• Augmented Audio Soundscape Design for Enhanced Experiences
• Human Factors and Behaviour Change Interventions for Cybersecurity at Edinburgh Napier University

The full description of the projects is available here. You can search by keyword, project title, Director of Studies.

We welcome also innovative proposals outside the listed topics but aligned with the research interests of the Subject Group, which can be found at Applied Informatics.

Projects are anticipated to start on 1 October 2026.

The students we are looking for

Successful applicants will

• Be keen on advancing knowledge and developing applications to improve the world in which we live.
• Have, or expect to achieve by the time of start of the studentship, a first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level, or equivalent achievements. Only degrees in a subject relevant to the PhD project will be considered. Practical experience in research or industry will be considered an advantage.
• If your first language is not English, comply with the University requirements for research degree programmes in terms of English language.

Edinburgh Napier University aims to build a community where all our members are empowered to fulfil their full potential and find their own unique place in the world.

We do not just accept difference, we promote and celebrate it. We encourage applications from the right candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief or race.

The application process

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact potential supervisors (the details can be found in the description of the projects here) to discuss the content of the project and the fit with their qualifications and skills before preparing an application.

The application must include all of the following:

• Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline should provide details about
  • Background and motivation of the project. The motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results.
  • Research questions or objectives.
  • Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods.
  • List of references.

The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support.

• Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project.
• Recent and complete curriculum vitae. The curriculum must include a declaration regarding the English language qualifications of the candidate. Supporting documents will have to be submitted by successful candidates.
• Two academic references (but if you have been out of education for more than three years, you may submit one academic and one professional reference), on the form can be downloaded here.

Applications can be submitted here. To be considered, the application must use

• “SCEBE1125” as project code.
• the advertised title as project title 

All applications must be received by 9 January 2026. Applicants who have not been contacted by the end of February 2026 should assume that they have been unsuccessful. 

Contact details

Should you need more information, please email SCEBDoctoralCollege@napier.ac.uk.

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