Task-Oriented Communication Design for Next-Generation AI-Enabled Applications

About the project

About the Project Future telecommunication networks will go beyond traditional data transmission to directly support advanced, AI-enabled applications such as autonomous robotics, intelligent video analytics, and interactive AI chatbots. These services fundamentally change network demands, requiring a shift from conventional data-rate-centric metrics to task-oriented performance. This PhD project takes a holistic view of the telecommunications pipeline, investigating the complete information processing chain: data generation, communication optimisation, and final task execution. Research Objectives 1. Holistic Protocol Design: Review state-of-the-art literature to design novel task-oriented communication frameworks where network resources are allocated based on the semantic meaning and execution success of the AI application. 2. Algorithm Development: Create technical solutions, optimisation algorithms, and machine learning models to streamline data flow between edge intelligence and core telecom infrastructure. 3. Hardware Validation: Deploy and validate the developed communication designs on real-world hardware robotics platforms, ensuring the theoretical metrics translate into physical system agility and accuracy. Expected Outcomes: The successful candidate will bridge the gap between communication theory and robotic control. The student will be driven toward high-impact research, with the explicit expectation of publishing novel findings in top-tier IEEE/ACM conferences and journals. Eligibility Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline. Funding This 3.5 year PhD is for self funded students or those with external funding. The start date is October 2027. At The University of Manchester, we offer a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level, to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers. For more information, visit our funding page or search our funding database for specific scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for. Before you apply We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor ( Philip.Zhao@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. How to apply Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425 When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees. Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered. After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents: Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress CV Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it). Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference) English Language certificate (if applicable) If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk . Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact. We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status. We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder). uomcsartificialintelligence, uomcsdatascience, uomcsfuturecomputingsystems

Research areas