Fully Funded PhD Scholarship in Computer Science

Northeastern University London Fully Funded PhD Scholarship in Computer Science

Hardware-Software Co-Design for Efficient AI in IoT and Networked Systems

Funded PhD Project (UK or International Students)

Funding provider: Northeastern University London (NU London)

Project start date: October 2026

Supervisors (*lead):

• Bipin Rajendran (Northeastern University London)
• Christos Efstratiou (University of Kent)

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Computer Science

Northeastern University London

As part of a major investment, Northeastern University London (NU London) has multiple, fully-funded PhD studentships available to accelerate its interdisciplinary research in the humanities, social sciences and digital sciences. Each scholarship is fully-funded for three and a half years (UKRI rates) and includes fees, an annual stipend, an additional London allowance and associated costs, such as training.

NU London is both a UK university governed by UK higher education regulations, and the European campus of Northeastern University – a large, top-tier research intensive, Boston-based institution. Founded in 1898, Northeastern received $230.7m of external research funding in 2022, and is the recognized leader in experience-driven lifelong learning. It has campuses across the United States and Canada (in Boston; Charlotte, North Carolina; Portland, Maine; Oakland, California; San Francisco; Seattle; Silicon Valley; Arlington, Virginia; the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Toronto and Vancouver). Whilst the PhD will be a UK qualification, students will have the opportunity to engage with and visit the Northeastern University network overseas as part of their London-based doctoral studies, providing a truly unique and highly sought-after dimension to their research training.

The Project

The project aims to develop scalable and energy-efficient AI accelerators for resource-constrained IoT and networked systems through joint optimization of AI models and emerging hardware architectures.

Topics will include:

• AI-hardware co-design of neural architectures, memory hierarchies, and communication systems
• Model compression and optimization (pruning, quantization, knowledge distillation) for edge deployment
• FPGA- and ASIC-based acceleration, including emerging in-memory computing platforms
• Performance and energy modeling using simulation, emulation, and profiling tools
• Benchmarking on representative edge workloads such as TinyML, edge vision, and federated learning

The successful candidates will:

• Have a proven, strong educational background in Hardware-Software Co-Design for Efficient AI in IoT and Networked Systems or a related subject (see eligibility criteria)
• Be excited and inspired by the proposed project area
• Be a self starter
• Have good communication skills
• Have an inquiring mind and be willing to challenge themselves

The successful candidates will benefit from a brand new campus on the banks of the River Thames next to Tower Bridge. This is an interdisciplinary, vibrant research environment with international collaboration and networking opportunities and dedicated research space. It will form the hub of a highly experienced, multi-institution supervisory team from NU London and the University of Kent.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in May 2026. Candidates are welcome to contact the NU London supervisor with informal enquiries before the application deadline: 1/4/2026 (b.rajendran@nulondon.ac.uk)

Eligibility

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject - 2:1 or 1st (essential)
• Master’s degree in a relevant subject (optional)

English Language requirements:

If applicable – IELTS 6.5 overall (with a score of at least 6.5 in each individual component) or equivalent.

Nationality

Applications are open to UK and international students. Please indicate if you are likely to require a visa on your application. We are unable to support visa costs.

Funding

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees, an annual stipend and an additional London allowance (set at UKRI rates) for 3.5 years.

How to Apply

Applications should be made via the above 'Apply' button by 23:59 on 01 April 2026. Please reference your application “R138635”.

Please upload a CV and a Covering Letter stating how you meet the requirements and why you are interested in the proposed research project

Participation in the equal opportunities section is encouraged, but voluntary.