PhD Studentship - CRADLE Robotics and AI PhD Programme (Must start by April 2025)

This 3.5 year PhD project is funded by UoM and Amentum as their support to the EPSRC-funded Prosperity Partnership (CRADLE: Centre for Robotic Autonomy in Demanding and Long-lasting Environments).

Tuition fees will be paid and you will receive an annual tax free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25). Please see the project description for further details. This project is open to home and overseas students.

The Centre for Robotic Autonomy in Demanding and Long-lasting Environments (CRADLE) is an EPSRC-funded Prosperity Partnership that brings together the industrial experience that Amentum has in applied robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) with the research expertise at the University of Manchester in this field. The partnership aims to deliver novel and transformational RAS technologies that enable robots to be deployed in the most demanding environments, such as space, nuclear, energy generation, and urban infrastructure, over long periods.

To support CRADLE, we aim to admit and fully fund a cohort of UK and International PhD students who will complete research projects linked to various aspects of the programme.

Each project will be supervised by academics at the University of Manchester and experts in the application of robotic systems at Amentum. One of the CRADLE co-investigators will be part of each supervisory team, ensuring close alignment with the CRADLE research themes. All projects will contain a significant focus on the design and development of practical robotic demonstrators.

Eligibility

Applicants should have or expect to achieve at least a 2.1 honours degree in engineering or computer science or an MSc qualification in Robotics, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or other equivalent disciplines.

Funding

Funded by UoM and Amentum as their support to the EPSRC-funded Prosperity Partnership (CRADLE: Centre for Robotic Autonomy in Demanding and Long-lasting Environments).

• Skills and academic background matching the research project, and academic records (including transcripts) at the master’s level or equivalent degree level.
• Creative and innovative potential, with the ability to think outside the box.
• Motivation for interdisciplinary research.
• Ability to work with both academics and industry partners.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor (Prof Michael Fisher - michael.fisher@manchester.ac.uk and Dr Watson - Simon.watson@manchester.ac.uk) for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

Important Dates:

13^th November 2024 - Applications Open

3^rd January 2025 - Deadline for Applications

13^th-24^th January 2025 - Interviews

31^st January 2025 - Notification of Award

1^st April 2025 - PhD Start Date

Advert information