PhD Studentship in Computer Architecture or Compilers

One fully funded, full-time PhD position to work with Dr Jianyi Cheng in the ICSA Institute at the School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh. 

The aim of this project is Architecture or Compiler Design of Hardware Accelerators. 

Candidate’s profile 

• A good Bachelors degree (2.1 or above or international equivalent) and/or Masters degree in a relevant subject (physics, mathematics, engineering, computer science, or related subject)
• Proficiency in English (both oral and written)
• Programming skills in Verilog/VHDL/HLS (for architecture research) or CUDA/OpenCL/C++ (for compiler research)
• Knowledge of GPUs or FPGAs is highly desirable. 

Studentship and eligibility 

The School funded studentship starting in the academic year 2025/26 covers: 

• Full time PhD tuition fees for a student with a Home fee status (£4,596* per annum) and/or overseas fee status (£33,100 per annum).
• A tax-free stipend of GBP £19,795 per year for 3.5 years.
• Additional programme costs of £1000 per year.

*Home fee for 25/26 not confirmed so rate is for 24/25 

Application Information 

Applicants should apply via the University’s admissions portal (EUCLID) and apply for the following programme: https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/degrees/index.php?r=site/view&edition=2024&id=492 with a start date of 01-09-2025 

Applicants should state “Architecture or Compiler Design of Hardware Accelerators” and the research supervisor (Dr Jianyi Cheng) in their application and Research Proposal document. 

Complete applications submitted by 9 December will receive full consideration; after that date applications will be considered until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is 01-09-2025 but earlier start dates can be considered for home applicants not needing to complete immigration processes prior to commencing studies. 

Applicants must submit: 

• All degree transcripts and certificates (and certified translations if applicable)
• Evidence of English Language capability (where applicable).
• A short research proposal (max 2 pages)
• A full CV and cover letter describing your background, suitability for the PhD, and research interests (max 2 pages).
• Two references (note that it the applicant’s responsibility to ensure reference letters are received before the deadline). 

Only complete applications (i.e., those that are not missing the above documentation) will progress forward to Academic Selectors for further consideration.  

Environment 

The ICSA Institute located at the School of Informatics of the University of Edinburgh, which provides a vibrant research environment and hosts several research institutes that are relevant to the research that the PhD student will be conducting. 

The School of Informatics is one of the largest in Europe and currently the top Informatics institute in the UK for research power, with 40% of its research outputs considered world-leading (top grade), and almost 50% considered top grade for societal impact. The University of Edinburgh is constantly ranked among the world’s top universities and is a highly international environment with several centres of excellence.

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