IDLA studentship: Computer engineering for AI-driven manufacturing
This fully-funded research project addresses the challenge of developing e-Infrastructure for manufacturing that combines datacentre performance with the constraints of an AI-driven factory.
Key facts
Application deadline
12:00 midday UK time on Tuesday 3rd March 2026
Applications may remain open after this deadline if places are still available.
Places available
1
Academic supervisor
Professor Noa Zilberman
Funding (fully-funded scholarship)
This project will be offered as a fully-funded scholarship, which will include:
- all course fees for the duration of your course; and
- a living stipend.
This project is funded by an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Industrial Doctoral Landscape Award (IDLA).
The industrial partner for this project is Siemens.
Expected start date
Expected duration
Full time: 3-4 years
Part time: 6-8 years
About this project
Modern manufacturing and process automation floors are evolving into complex data ecosystems, mirroring the operational challenges of datacentres. As sensors generate vast data streams for AI-driven cell operations (Industrial-grade AI), the factory becomes a distributed computing environment requiring low-latency response, resilience, and energy efficiency.
You will research emerging computing solutions for AI-driven manufacturing, covering aspects of network design and resilience, workload scheduling and deployment, and energy efficiency.
Course details
Unless stated otherwise, this project information is subject to the more detailed information provided on the page of the offering course.
Course offering this project
You should familiarise yourself with the details of this course before applying for this project.
Entry requirements
This studentship project is funded by UKRI.
In addition to the entry requirements for the main course, prospective candidates for this project will be judged according to how well they meet the following criteria:
- a first class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent) in Engineering or Computer Science;
- excellent knowledge in computer networks;
- excellent programming skills (C/C++, Python and scripting languages); and
- ·excellent English written and spoken communication skills.
The following skills are desirable but not essential:
- a distinction or first class honours Masters degree in Engineering or Computer Science;
- previous research experience in the subject area (e.g., final year project, internship);
- good knowledge in distributed systems;
- previous experience in network simulation;
- previous experience in network drivers and tools;
- previous experience in distributed AI workloads; and
- previous experience in industrial systems.
Please refer to the DPhil in Engineering Science course page for all other entry requirements, including the required level of English language proficiency.
College preference
If you have the option of stating a college preference for this project, the available colleges will be confirmed within the application form.
For some projects, including all of those offered after the standard course has closed to applications, the department will assign your application to a college.
How to apply
The guidance for this project may differ from the standard course - please read it carefully.
Application fee waivers (for all applications via this page)
Applications to this project should be made only via this page and not the related course page.
The application fee will be waived for all applications made via this page.
Contacting the department before making an application
Guidance for completing the application form
After you have started an application via this page, please refer to the application instructions on the main course page.