MSCA Doctoral Graduate Research Assistant [DC4]

This new full-time post is available to start between 1 June 2026 and 1 December 2026 on a fixed-term basis for 36 months, based at our Streatham campus. The post must start by 1 December 2026.

The Role
Environment, Science and Economy

The Faculty wishes to recruit three Graduate Research Assistants (PhD studentship) as part the SAILING Doctoral Network, an EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie’s Actions (MSCA) initiative (part of the HORIZON-MSCA-2024-DN-01-01 call; Grant Agreement ID 101227573).

The SAILING Doctoral Network aims to train 12 next generation scientists in creating an intelligent and automated energy management system powered by secure AI and digital twin for the Internet-of-Energy (IoE). SAILING will carry out the project on an international and inter-sector scale via extensive collaboration and knowledge sharing. Individual projects within the SAILING programme map into five interrelated science objectives: 1) to create a high-fidelity IoE digital twin; 2) to develop secure AI techniques for IoE; 3) to design an intelligent and scalable IoE energy management strategy; 4) to develop agile IoE fault detection and accurate failure prediction methods; 5) to construct an intelligent energy optimisation system. SAILING combines excellent training for doctoral researchers, diverse supervisions and international mobility for impactful research to benefit society and the economy. SAILING aims to provide next generation scientists with skills and knowledge “most sought-after” in academic and non-academic employability sectors.

This specific PhD project focuses on developing blockchain-enabled secure data sharing techniques for IoE to minimize malicious data tampering and destruction. The key objectives are to develop:

• a holistic design of the blockchain architecture for IoE,
• a scalable blockchain system for IoE data sharing,
• and an efficient and fair consensus mechanism for IoE.

The post will include 2 separate secondments, about 3-months duration each, to other EU and Associated Country partners of the SAILING Doctoral Network for training and collaboration purposes.

About you 
The successful applicant will be able to present research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information (orally, in writing and electronically), and contribute to proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will be educated to first degree level (or equivalent qualification/experience) in a relevant discipline (e.g., Computer Science, Communication Engineering, Electrical/Power Engineering, Energy Systems, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence) and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will be able to:

• Show interest in Computer Science/Internet-of-Energy/Cybersecurity/Artificial Intelligence and their data, modelling, and operational challenges.
• Develop and evaluate algorithmic solutions (e.g., machine learning, optimisation, statistical modelling, distributed systems), depending on project direction.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button) for full details of this role. 

Specific to SAILING MSCA PhD studentships:

• Full employment contract with competitive salary for three years.
• An additional supplementary allowance of ~£3300* per annum which attracts both NI and pension.
• Mobility allowance (~£5750*/year), and family allowance if applicable (~£4000*/year) adjusted for the cost of living in the host country (in this case UK). *Values subject to exchange rate when appointment is made.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities, laboratories and expert supervision.
• International secondments and training events and networking with 11 fellow PhD students from the SAILING MSCA Doctoral Network.

Further information
For further information please contact Professor Geyong Min, e-mail g.min@exeter.ac.uk.

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