PhD Studentship & Graduate Teaching Assistant

Birkbeck, University of London, is seeking a passionate candidate to undertake a full-time PhD research in computing or mathematical sciences, and provide assistance to academic staff as a part-time Graduate Teaching Assistant. The post holder will be registered as a full-time research (PhD) student within the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences for the period of employment with registration fees waived.

As a Graduate Teaching Assistant, you will:

• Pursue research study towards a PhD thesis.
• Provide assistance to staff involved in teaching - supporting classes, marking and leading seminar discussions online.
• Undertake administration to ensure the effective running of programmes.

To be successful in this role, you will:

• Demonstrate the potential to conduct high-quality research in computer science, mathematics, statistics and/or probability theory.
• Support teaching at postgraduate level online.

Moreover, you will:

• Have a good first degree or masters in a discipline relevant to computer science, mathematics, statistics and/or probability theory.
• Have a practical knowledge of the Python programming language, and SQL.
• Have a good understanding of Information Systems, and Data Management.
• Be eligible for acceptance to the MPhil/PhD in the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences.

Submit an application to the department - full-time MPhil/PhD including an original research proposal.

For further details, please consult the guides:

MPhil/PhD Computer Science and Information Systems: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/courses/phd/computer-science-and-information-systems/

MPhil/PhD Mathematics and Statistics: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/courses/phd/mathematics-and-statistics/

Birkbeck has been teaching and researching since 1957: https://perspectives.blogs.bbk.ac.uk/2020/08/25/a-short-history-of-computer-science-at-birkbeck/computer science

Our research is organised around three main themes:

AI and Data Science

Discrete Mathematics and Algorithms

Logical Methods

The School is particularly interested in supervising research that aligns with the work of the research groups and centres. A non-exclusive list of topics and supervisors is included below. Applicants who wish to pursue a PhD in a different field will also be considered.

Mathematical Analysis of Reconstruction Error for Off-Shore Wind Measurement Systems

Dr Anthony Brooms: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/our-staff/profile/8008456/anthony-c-brooms

Software Engineering, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Large Language Models

Dr Taolue Chen: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/our-staff/profile/9152019/taolue-chen

Static Program analysis and verification, termination analysis, term rewriting

Dr Carsten Fuhs: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/our-staff/profile/8731976/carsten-fuhs

Graph Databases, Data Modelling, Process Modelling 

Dr Jan Hidders: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/our-staff/profile/9255599/jan-hidders

Combinatorial aspects of cryptography and information security

Prof Maura Paterson: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/our-staff/profile/8009817/maura-paterson

AI in Finance: new models and data streams 

Dr Alessandro Provetti: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/our-staff/profile/8920719/alessandro-provetti

Probability theory: Interacting particle systems 

Dr Richard Pymar: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/our-staff/profile/9112681/richard-pymar

Designing network algorithms founded on graph theory 

Dr Felix Reidl: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/our-staff/profile/9192573/felix-reidl

Extraction of Rules and Specifications from Temporal Data

Dr Vladislav Ryzhikov: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/our-staff/profile/9153461/vladislav-ryzhikov

Novel diffusion model learning algorithms for synthetic DNA sequence design

Dr Cen Wan: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/our-staff/profile/9237876/cen-wan

Please note that separate applications will be required:

Full-time PhD application with accompanying research proposal for the PhD post for either:

Computer Science and Information Systems: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/courses/phd/computer-science-and-information-systems/

Mathematics and Statistics: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/courses/phd/mathematics-and-statistics/

A job application form for the graduate teaching assistant post, submitted via the 'Apply' button above.

Total salary: £19,490 rising to £22,123 per year (0.5 FTE) (pro-rated & £38,981 rising to £44,247) 1 FTE Grade 6

Terms and Conditions

Four year fixed-term contract, starting 1 July. Teaching post is part time (17.5 hours a week term time) alongside completion of a PhD

Closing date: 1 May 2026

Interview date: 25 May 2026

To know more about the role, please contact Martyn Harris, Programme Director: martyn.harris@bbk.ac.uk

Further guidance is available for prospective PhD students: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/school/psychological-sciences/prospective-phd-guidance

This post is open for Visa Sponsorship

If you have technical issues or difficulties using the recruitment portal, please contact: jobs@bbk.ac.uk

Advert information