Doctoral scholarships

About the project

Find out what doctoral research scholarships are available at Manchester Met and sign up for vacancy alerts.

Manchester Met funded scholarships

We advertise a wide range of doctoral scholarships, which are sometimes also called funded research projects or studentships.

These may be:

Before applying for any of our funded projects, you should discuss your suitability with the named academic supervisor.

• fees only, which will cover your research fees . Unless the project says otherwise, these are paid at a standard rate.
• fully funded, which will give you a monthly payment towards living costs as well as covering your research fees.

Available scholarships

• Nutrition support through embedded research: a vehicle for improving health, performance and culture at GB Taekwondo. Closing date: 7 October 2026 Nutrition support through embedded research: a vehicle for improving health, performance and culture at GB Taekwondo. Closing date: 7 October 2026 Overview We invite applications for funding for a three-year full-time PhD project to explore nutrition in Taekwondo, a weight-category combat sport where the way athletes fuel, recover and manage weight affects both performance and long-term health. This project is a partnership between Manchester Metropolitan University’s Faculty of Health and Education and GB Taekwondo, offering the chance to shape nutrition practice in a high-performance Olympic programme ahead of Los Angeles 2028 and beyond. Working as an embedded researcher within GB Taekwondo, you will explore current nutrition practice and the views of male and female athletes and para-athletes, their coaches and support staff, co-design an evidence-informed nutrition curriculum covering performance, health and culture, and evaluate its impact at group and individual level. You will gain expertise in mixed-methods research, curriculum design, quality improvement and single-case study designs, working alongside experienced supervisors in a real-world setting, benefiting athletes across other combat sports. As part of our inclusive and supportive doctoral community, you will benefit from structured training, mentoring and access to the facilities and expertise of the Faculty of Health and Education and the Institute of Sport. If you are curious, ambitious and passionate about sport, health and nutrition, we would love to hear from you. Aims and objectives This PhD aims to improve nutrition practice in Taekwondo, at both group and individual level, to support performance, health and culture. Working as an embedded researcher, the successful candidate will: examine current nutrition practices and the challenges faced by athletes, coaches and support staff; evaluate how nutrition curriculum design and implementation are approached in sport; co-design an evidence-informed curriculum spanning performance, health and culture with input from all stakeholders; evaluate and refine current practice and the new curriculum through a quality-improvement project; and assess individual-level impact through a person-centred case series. Findings will inform nutrition practice and curriculum design across combat sport and beyond, with real-world benefit for athletes and the wider high-performance system. Candidate requirements Essential Applicants should hold at least a first or upper second class (2:1) honours degree in sport and exercise science, nutrition, sport and exercise nutrition or a related discipline, or an equivalent qualification. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and an interest in applying research to practice are required, as the role is embedded across an elite performance environment. This studentship is open to Home (UK) applicants only, as the award covers tuition at the Home fee rate. Desirable A master’s degree in one of the subjects listed above (such as sport and exercise science, nutrition, sport and exercise nutrition or a related discipline) will be looked upon favourably, although this is not essential. Being able to demonstrate some experience of mixed-methods research (this can include dissertation projects and/or voluntary work) is highly desirable but is not essential for an application. Funding and eligibility Home students can apply only. Only home tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the three-year award, which is £5,238 for the year 2026/27. The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by UKRI, currently £21,805 for the year 2026/27. How to apply If you have any questions, please contact the principal supervisor, Dr Nick Dobbin ( [email protected] ). To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full time PhD in Health Professions. Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form , and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal or email the requested documents to [email protected] . Application closing date: Wednesday 7 October 2026. Expected start date: January 2027 Please quote the reference: H&E-Jan 2027-ND-Nutrition in Taekwondo

Nutrition support through embedded research: a vehicle for improving health, performance and culture at GB Taekwondo. Closing date: 7 October 2026

• Applicants should hold at least a first or upper second class (2:1) honours degree in sport and exercise science, nutrition, sport and exercise nutrition or a related discipline, or an equivalent qualification.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and an interest in applying research to practice are required, as the role is embedded across an elite performance environment.
• This studentship is open to Home (UK) applicants only, as the award covers tuition at the Home fee rate.
• A master’s degree in one of the subjects listed above (such as sport and exercise science, nutrition, sport and exercise nutrition or a related discipline) will be looked upon favourably, although this is not essential.
• Being able to demonstrate some experience of mixed-methods research (this can include dissertation projects and/or voluntary work) is highly desirable but is not essential for an application.
• Long-distance continuous variable quantum key distribution with amplifiers and memories. Closing date: 15 October 2026 Long-distance continuous variable quantum key distribution with amplifiers and memories. Closing date: 15 October 2026 Overview Entanglement distribution is a foundational capability for quantum networks, enabling diverse quantum technologies including—but not limited to—quantum key distribution (QKD). QKD provides information-theoretic security even against quantum-capable adversaries, making it one of the most mature and commercially relevant applications of quantum communication. However, current QKD links are limited to short distances. Overcoming this limitation requires quantum repeaters, which enable long-distance entanglement distribution and are therefore essential for building large-scale, secure quantum networks. Developing efficient, scalable, and physically realizable repeater-assisted architectures for entanglement distribution protocols remains a significant theoretical and practical challenge. This PhD project will investigate optical quantum repeaters for long-distance secure QKD. You will develop theoretical frameworks to analyse repeater architectures, evaluating both amplifier-enhanced and memory-assisted protocols. Crucially, you will develop experiment-ready models that rigorously account for realistic device imperfections—bridging the gap between theory and practical implementation. Aims and objectives Develop a generalised theoretical framework for quantum repeater architectures. Investigate and compare specific QKD protocols; Model realistic device imperfections by incorporating loss, noise, and other experimental constraints into the theoretical analysis. Provide design guidelines for future experimental implementations of quantum repeater networks, specifying hardware requirements and performance benchmarks. Contribute to the development of large-scale quantum communication infrastructure by identifying viable pathways for practical deployment of secure quantum networks. Candidate requirements The qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience applicants should have for this project, in addition to our standard entry requirements . Essential First or upper second class (2:1) honours degree from a UK university or an equivalent qualification (or be close to completing) in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively. Strong analytical skills and motivation for independent research. Desirable Knowledge of optics and communications. Knowledge of quantum optics and quantum communications. Familiarity with programming (such as MATLAB, Python, etc.). Funding and eligibility Home students can apply only. Only home tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the three-year award, which is £5,238 for the year 2026/27. The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by UKRI, currently £21,805 for the year 2026/27. How to apply If you have any questions, please contact the principal supervisor, Dr Masoud Ghalaii ( [email protected] ). To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full time PhD in Computing & Digital Technology. Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form , and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal or email the requested documents to [email protected] . Application closing date: Thursday 15 October 2026. Expected start date: January 2027 Please quote the reference: SciEng-Jan 2027-MG-Quantum Key Distribution

Long-distance continuous variable quantum key distribution with amplifiers and memories. Closing date: 15 October 2026

• Develop a generalised theoretical framework for quantum repeater architectures.
• Investigate and compare specific QKD protocols; Model realistic device imperfections by incorporating loss, noise, and other experimental constraints into the theoretical analysis.
• Provide design guidelines for future experimental implementations of quantum repeater networks, specifying hardware requirements and performance benchmarks.
• Contribute to the development of large-scale quantum communication infrastructure by identifying viable pathways for practical deployment of secure quantum networks.
• First or upper second class (2:1) honours degree from a UK university or an equivalent qualification (or be close to completing) in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong analytical skills and motivation for independent research.
• Knowledge of optics and communications.
• Knowledge of quantum optics and quantum communications.
• Familiarity with programming (such as MATLAB, Python, etc.).
• Mechanisms of sarcopenia in heart failure. Closing date: 29 October 2026 Mechanisms of sarcopenia in heart failure. Closing date: 29 October 2026 Overview Heart failure is a common ageing disease, affecting ~1 million patients in the UK, and rates continue to increase, stressing local and national health, social, and financial infrastructures. There remains no cure. Despite optimised cardiac therapies, patients with heart failure’s main complaint is limiting symptoms. In this regard, heart failure promotes a global skeletal muscle pathology (also termed sarcopenia), which is closely associated with greater disability, symptoms, and poor quality of life. However, the underlying biological mechanism increasing sarcopenia in elderly patients with heart failure remains unclear. This project will build upon our recently published studies (Espino-Gonzales et al., JACC Basic Tranl Sci 2023; Wood et al., Circ Heart Fail 2024) to dissect the underlying biological mechanisms that exacerbate sarcopenia in heart failure. To achieve this, you will work within an inclusive and dynamic supervisory team and wider environment with expertise in clinical muscle biology and heart failure, receiving comprehensive training to explore muscle structural changes (immunohistochemistry) and molecular signatures (immunoblotting/qPCR/multi-omics), combining cell, animal, and/or patient approaches. Our established clinical links and international collaborations will be harnessed to strengthen scientific excellence during the project, helping to expand your training portfolio, personal development, and wider network. Aims and objectives This project’s main aim is to identify the underlying biological mechanisms that exacerbate sarcopenia in heart failure. As part of this, the key objectives will include characterising the muscle signature in heart failure, validating new mechanisms of interest, and testing a viable therapeutic target with clinical potential capable of reducing symptoms. We aim to extend findings on this topic as previously published by our team; for example, see here: Bowen TS - Search Results - PubMed Candidate requirements The qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience applicants should have for this project, in addition to our standard entry requirements . Candidates with a BSc or preferably MSc degree in biomedical sciences, molecular biology, biochemistry, and/or exercise physiology will be considered. Those with a passion and interest in muscle biology and cardiovascular medicine are especially encouraged to apply. Prior training in wet lab skills such as protein and gene biochemistry would be advantageous, as would familiarity with the skeletal muscle and/or heart failure literature. Funding and eligibility Home students can apply only. Home tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 3.5-year award, which is £5,238 for the year 2026/27. The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by UKRI, currently £21,805 for the year 2026/27. How to apply If you have any questions, please contact the proposed First Supervisor, Dr Adam Lightfoot ( [email protected] ). To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full time PhD in Biological Science. Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form , and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal or email the requested documents to [email protected] . Application closing date: Thursday 29 October 2026. Expected start date: January 2027 Please quote the reference: SciEng-Jan 2027-SB-Sarcopenia Heart Failure

Mechanisms of sarcopenia in heart failure. Closing date: 29 October 2026

• Advanced Manufacturing for Drinking Water Infrastructure (Industry-Partnered PhD with United Utilities). Closing date: 4 November 2026 Advanced Manufacturing for Drinking Water Infrastructure (Industry-Partnered PhD with United Utilities). Closing date: 4 November 2026 Overview Manchester Metropolitan University, in collaboration with United Utilities, invites applications for a PhD exploring how advanced manufacturing technologies can support more sustainable and resilient clean water infrastructure. Based within PrintCity and the Surface Engineering Group at the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMMIC), this project will investigate how additive manufacturing (3D printing) and surface coating technologies can be used to redesign and produce polymer components for use in drinking water systems. The research will evaluate how these approaches can improve sustainability, repairability, durability, and operational resilience, while ensuring materials and components meet relevant UK drinking water regulatory requirements. The successful candidate will work across academic and industrial research environments, accessing state-of-the-art manufacturing, testing, and characterisation facilities at Manchester Met and collaborating closely with industry specialists at United Utilities. The project aligns with the University’s sustainability ambitions and offers strong potential for peer-reviewed publications and wider sector impact. Applicants should have a background in engineering, materials science, manufacturing, or a related discipline, and an interest in advanced manufacturing, surface technologies, or sustainable infrastructure. Aims and objectives This project aims to explore how advanced manufacturing and surface technologies can be used to develop more sustainable and resilient components for drinking water systems. Objectives: Identify suitable water infrastructure components that could benefit from redesign using additive manufacturing (3D printing). Develop and optimise materials and surface treatments to ensure components meet UK drinking water regulatory requirements. Experimentally test and evaluate mechanical performance, durability, and long-term reliability. Assess environmental and operational benefits, including repairability, resilience, and whole-life carbon performance, compared with conventional manufacturing methods. Candidate requirements The qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience applicants should have for this project, in addition to our standard entry requirements . Essential: A strong background in engineering, materials science, manufacturing, or a closely related discipline. Ability to plan and conduct experimental research safely and systematically. Skills in analysing and interpreting data and critically evaluating research literature. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Desirable: Interest or experience in additive manufacturing, polymer processing, surface coatings, materials testing, or design for manufacture. Willingness to work collaboratively with an industrial partner and engage across university and industry environments. Funding and eligibility Home students can apply only. Home tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 3.5-year award, which is £5,238 for the year 2026/27. The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by UKRI, currently £21,805 for the year 2026/27. How to apply If you have any questions, please contact the proposed Principal Supervisor, Professor Carl Diver ( [email protected] ). To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full time PhD in Engineering. Please note that you are not required to submit a research proposal through the online application portal. Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form , and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal or email the requested documents to [email protected] . Application closing date: Wednesday 4 November 2026 Expected start date: January 2027 Please quote the reference: SciEng-Jan 2027-CD-Additive Manufacturing Water

Advanced Manufacturing for Drinking Water Infrastructure (Industry-Partnered PhD with United Utilities). Closing date: 4 November 2026

• Identify suitable water infrastructure components that could benefit from redesign using additive manufacturing (3D printing).
• Develop and optimise materials and surface treatments to ensure components meet UK drinking water regulatory requirements.
• Experimentally test and evaluate mechanical performance, durability, and long-term reliability.
• Assess environmental and operational benefits, including repairability, resilience, and whole-life carbon performance, compared with conventional manufacturing methods.
• A strong background in engineering, materials science, manufacturing, or a closely related discipline.
• Ability to plan and conduct experimental research safely and systematically.
• Skills in analysing and interpreting data and critically evaluating research literature.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Interest or experience in additive manufacturing, polymer processing, surface coatings, materials testing, or design for manufacture.
• Willingness to work collaboratively with an industrial partner and engage across university and industry environments.
• Development of Infra-Red Thin Film Optoelectronic Devices. Closing date: 17 November 2026 Development of Infra-Red Thin Film Optoelectronic Devices. Closing date: 17 November 2026 Overview Optoelectronic devices, like thermal imaging cameras and night-vision sensors, require clear optical “windows” that allow infrared light to pass through while strictly blocking environmental oxygen and moisture, which degrade the sensitive internal components. Currently, the most effective moisture barriers use polymer materials, but these block infrared light. This project aims to solve this by creating a new type of multilayer filter, combining polymer layers with thin films of metals and ceramics, that will successfully block gases without sacrificing infrared transmission, directly benefiting the next generation of devices. This project will appeal to a materials scientist/engineer who is excited by materials discovery, but also enthusiastic to see how their research can be translated into real-world devices. The work will take place in the Surface Engineering Laboratory in the Dalton Building at Manchester Met and at the premises of our industrial partner, Brinell Vision Ltd in Irlam, Manchester, giving the successful candidate experience of working in both academic and industrial facilities. You will be supported by an experienced multidisciplinary supervisory team with access to state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with production, characterisation and testing facilities. You will also join Manchester Met’s Doctoral College community, benefiting from specialist training, collaboration opportunities, and professional development. Aims and objectives There is a critical gap in the production of ultra-barrier encapsulation that maintains high optical transmission in the 1.5– 15 µm regime, a range vital for thermal imaging and night-vision technologies. Consequently, the objective of this project is to address this requirement for broad-spectrum, highly transmissive interference coatings that double as hermetic gas barriers (O 2 and H 2 O) for active optoelectronic elements operating in this range. The specific aims are to develop Ge/GeOxNy multilayer structures, produced by magnetron sputtering, with the required optical properties and, by incorporating novel polymer layers, demonstrate that they exhibit the required durability for demanding applications and, furthermore, demonstrate that these structures can form the basis for new generations of optoelectronic devices. Candidate requirements The qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience applicants should have for this project, in addition to our standard entry requirements . Essential: Undergraduate degree (first or upper second-class honours ) in engineering, materials science, or closely related subject Must be willing to learn new skills. Ability to undertake experiments accurately and safely and make verbal or written reports. Desirable: Relevant postgraduate (MEng, MSc, MSci, MRes, etc.) degree. Prior research project experience, especially in thin films production and testing or optical modelling. We welcome applications from individuals from groups underrepresented in postgraduate research, including but not limited to women, LGBTQ+, and minoritised ethnic groups. A successful candidate will join our vibrant, growing doctoral community in the new £117M Dalton Building with cutting-edge facilities. Funding and eligibility Home students can apply only. Home tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 3-year award, which is £5,238 for the year 2026/27. The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by UKRI, currently £21,805 for the year 2026/27. How to apply If you have any questions, please contact the proposed Principal Supervisor, Dr Justyna Kulczyk-Malecka ( [email protected] ). To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full time PhD in Engineering. Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form , and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal or email the requested documents to [email protected] . Application closing date: Tuesday 17 November 2026 Expected start date: April 2027 Please quote the reference: SciEng-Apr 2027-JKM-IR Optics

Development of Infra-Red Thin Film Optoelectronic Devices. Closing date: 17 November 2026

• Undergraduate degree (first or upper second-class honours ) in engineering, materials science, or closely related subject
• Must be willing to learn new skills.
• Ability to undertake experiments accurately and safely and make verbal or written reports.
• Relevant postgraduate (MEng, MSc, MSci, MRes, etc.) degree.
• Prior research project experience, especially in thin films production and testing or optical modelling.
• Determining the carbon storage potential of Liberian mangroves. Closing date: 19 November 2026 Determining the carbon storage potential of Liberian mangroves. Closing date: 19 November 2026 Overview Mangroves are important stores and sinks of carbon, so they play an important role in helping mitigate climate change. However, mangroves have been chronically understudied in West Africa, so little is known about how much carbon they store or how sensitive this is to anthropogenic pressures. Working in conjunction with a UKRI-funded research project, this PhD will seek to better understand how much carbon mangroves in Liberia store, and the potential resilience of this to climate change and changes in upstream land use. The project will involve a mixture of field assessment of mangroves, laboratory analysis of sediment carbon, and GIS analysis. By working closely with the Liberian Environmental Protection Agency, project results have the potential to inform national policy to value and conserve mangroves. Aims and objectives The project aims to understand the amount and permanence of carbon stored by Liberia’s mangroves. Specific objectives are to: Determine variation in per-unit area above and belowground carbon stocks in mangroves. Upscale values using remote-sensing environmental and mangrove structure datasets to estimate national carbon stocks. Determine degradation rates of carbon buried in mangrove soils to estimate long-term storage. Assess the sensitivity of mangrove carbon to sea-level rise and changes in upstream land-use. Candidate requirements The qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience applicants should have for this project, in addition to our standard entry requirements . We are looking for a candidate who has: A background in environmental science and knowledge of mangrove ecosystems. Experience with methods for analysing mangrove soil carbon. Experience with or willingness to learn GIS and data analysis. The ability to conduct fieldwork in Liberian mangroves, including conversing with community field assistants. Experience working with government and conservation stakeholders such as the Liberian Environmental Protection Agency. Please note, this project involves regular field measurements in Liberian mangroves, so the candidate would have to be based in the country for a substantial portion of the project. The successful candidate will be required to attend the Manchester Metropolitan University campus for a short period throughout the research project. Funding and eligibility This studentship is open to home and international applicants. This funding covers home and international tuition fees for distance learning in accordance with the funding agreement. Stipends will not be provided. How to apply If you have any questions, please contact the proposed Principal Supervisor, Martin Sullivan ( [email protected] ). To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full time or part-time PhD in Biological Science. Please note that you are not required to submit a research proposal through the online application portal. Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form , and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal or email the requested documents to [email protected] . Application closing date: Thursday 19 November 2026 Expected start date: April 2027 Please quote the reference: SciEng-Apr 2027-MS-Liberian mangroves

Determining the carbon storage potential of Liberian mangroves. Closing date: 19 November 2026

• Determine variation in per-unit area above and belowground carbon stocks in mangroves.
• Upscale values using remote-sensing environmental and mangrove structure datasets to estimate national carbon stocks.
• Determine degradation rates of carbon buried in mangrove soils to estimate long-term storage.
• Assess the sensitivity of mangrove carbon to sea-level rise and changes in upstream land-use.
• A background in environmental science and knowledge of mangrove ecosystems.
• Experience with methods for analysing mangrove soil carbon.
• Experience with or willingness to learn GIS and data analysis.
• The ability to conduct fieldwork in Liberian mangroves, including conversing with community field assistants.
• Experience working with government and conservation stakeholders such as the Liberian Environmental Protection Agency.
• Operationalising Artificial Intelligence in Elite Sport Organisations: Readiness, Governance and Integration Pathways. Closing date: 2 February 2027 Operationalising Artificial Intelligence in Elite Sport Organisations: Readiness, Governance and Integration Pathways. Closing date: 2 February 2027 Overview Artificial intelligence is transforming elite sport, from offside decisions and injury prediction to ticket pricing and integrity monitoring. Yet most clubs and governing bodies adopt AI tools piecemeal rather than building them into how they operate. Therefore, this asks the question: Why do organisations with similar resources end up with very different capabilities? This PhD tests a new explanation: readiness for AI depends not only on money, staff and data, but on an organisation’s relationships with technology suppliers, regulators and peers. Working across football, cricket and basketball, including women’s professional sport, you will investigate how organisations move from experimenting with AI to embedding it, and help create a practical diagnostic tool for the sector. You will gain advanced skills in case study research, interviewing and social network analysis while working with decision makers in sport, and you will be encouraged to shape the research design. Your findings could influence how technology is governed and whether it widens inequality between clubs. You will be supported by a cross-disciplinary team spanning operations management and sport policy, and join Manchester Metropolitan’s inclusive doctoral community, with tailored training, conference opportunities and a vibrant research culture in one of the world’s great sporting cities. You will design and lead a comparative multiple case study of how clubs adopt and govern technology. The fieldwork combines semi-structured interviews with senior decision makers and social network analysis of the relationships between clubs, technology providers, leagues and governing bodies. You will receive training in case study design, qualitative interviewing and analysis, and network methods, including data collection, measurement and modelling. The research will examine whether current governance arrangements for technology reduce or widen resource and performance inequalities between clubs, and the results will feed directly into policy discussions with partners in the sport. Aims and objectives • Explore how data quality and interoperability, undermined by conflicting standards across vendors, leagues and governing bodies, constrain AI deployment. • Explore and understand what organisational and technical factors shape integration of AI systems with legacy and outsourced infrastructures, and the trade-offs imposed. • Explore how ESOs reconcile short-term operational gains with long-term capability building, and how technical debt accumulates through AI procurement. • Analyse how governance, regulation and position within the technology ecosystem shape unequal organisational capacity to operationalise AI. • Translate this explanation into a validated relational AI readiness framework and diagnostic for ESOs and governing bodies. Candidate requirements The qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience applicants should have for this project, in addition to our standard entry requirements . • Experience working/studying in, or with sports organisations, governing bodies or sport technology providers. • An understanding of AI regulation is desirable but not essential. Funding and eligibility This studentship is open to home and international applicants. Home and international tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 3-year award. The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £21,805 for the academic year 2026/27. How to apply If you have any questions, please contact the proposed Principal Supervisor, Dr Tom Mitchell ( [email protected] ). To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Operations & Technology. Please note that you are not required to submit a research proposal through the online application portal. Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form , and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal or email the requested documents to [email protected] . Applications closing date: 2 February 2027. Expected start date:October 2027. Please quote the reference: FoBL-TM-2027-28-AI Governance and Integration This PhD project is one of six independent projects open for applications, with only four funded studentships available. All applications will go through an initial review stage conducted by the project supervisors. Candidates selected from this stage will be invited to a second-round interview, where final funding decisions will be made based on performance across all projects.

Operationalising Artificial Intelligence in Elite Sport Organisations: Readiness, Governance and Integration Pathways. Closing date: 2 February 2027

• Digital State Capitalism in International Business: Geopolitics, Digital Sovereignty and Techno-Nationalism. Closing date: 2 February 2027 Digital State Capitalism in International Business: Geopolitics, Digital Sovereignty and Techno-Nationalism. Closing date: 2 February 2027 Overview How does digitalisation change states’ abilities to achieve their objectives, and what are the consequences of different states and global businesses pursuing competing priorities? This PhD explores how dynamic geopolitical rivalry expressed through digitalisation strategies and techno-nationalism changes the relationship between states and international businesses. It examines how governments seek technological independence and how businesses respond to new opportunities, restrictions and pressures. You will compare countries with different political-economic systems to investigate emerging forms of ‘digital state capitalism’, or how states shape digital markets to pursue economic, security and political goals. Your findings will help businesses and policymakers understand the consequences of digitalisation strategies for international trade, innovation and business decision-making. Through comparative case studies, policy analysis and business and media data, you will develop skills in research design, critical analysis and communicating complex findings. You will draw on university databases and digital resources, supported by supervisors specialising in international business and state–business relations. At Manchester Metropolitan University, you will join an inclusive doctoral community with opportunities for research training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional development. We welcome intellectually curious, motivated applicants from diverse backgrounds who are interested in technology, business and politics, and eager to develop their research skills. Aims and objectives The project investigates how geopolitical rivalries, digitalisation strategies, and techno-nationalism are reshaping state intervention in international business and are contributing to the emergence of ‘digital state capitalism’. The study asks: How are geopolitical rivalries transforming how states use digital technologies to influence international business? How do states use regulatory, financial, infrastructural and organisational mechanisms to pursue different digitalisation strategies that seek to increase their technological autonomy? How do these mechanisms and resulting forms of digital state capitalism vary across different political-economic systems? How do MNEs respond to these interventions, and what are the consequences of their internationalisation strategies? What are the consequences and outcomes for international trade, investment, and innovation? Candidate requirements The qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience applicants should have for this project, in addition to our standard entry requirements . We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with excellent research and communication skills, as well as intellectual curiosity, diligence, and perseverance. They should possess good academic writing and analytical skills, with the ability to think critically about complex political-economic issues. They should be able to engage critically with theories and concepts, and be able to investigate complex real-world data. Desirable: Experience with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods is highly desirable. Familiarity with international political economy, digital governance, or related fields would be an advantage. Proficiency in a second language is also desirable, particularly for engaging with international case studies and non-English source material. Funding and eligibility This studentship is open to home and international applicants. Home and international tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 3-year award. The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £21,805 for the academic year 2026/27. How to apply If you have any questions, please contact the proposed Principal Supervisor, Dr Sergey Sosnovskikh ( [email protected] ). To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in International Business. Please note that you are not required to submit a research proposal through the online application portal. Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form , and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal or email the requested documents to [email protected] . Applications closing date: 2 February 2027. Expected start date:October 2027. Please quote the reference: FoBL-SS-2027-28-Digital State Capitalism This PhD project is one of six independent projects open for applications, with only four funded studentships available. All applications will go through an initial review stage conducted by the project supervisors. Candidates selected from this stage will be invited to a second-round interview, where final funding decisions will be made based on performance across all projects.

Digital State Capitalism in International Business: Geopolitics, Digital Sovereignty and Techno-Nationalism. Closing date: 2 February 2027

• How are geopolitical rivalries transforming how states use digital technologies to influence international business?
• How do states use regulatory, financial, infrastructural and organisational mechanisms to pursue different digitalisation strategies that seek to increase their technological autonomy?
• How do these mechanisms and resulting forms of digital state capitalism vary across different political-economic systems?
• How do MNEs respond to these interventions, and what are the consequences of their internationalisation strategies?
• What are the consequences and outcomes for international trade, investment, and innovation?
• Experience with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with international political economy, digital governance, or related fields would be an advantage.
• Proficiency in a second language is also desirable, particularly for engaging with international case studies and non-English source material.
• (Re)claiming and (re)shaping place: The economics and geography of women’s football stadiums. Closing date: 2 February 2027 (Re)claiming and (re)shaping place: The economics and geography of women’s football stadiums. Closing date: 2 February 2027 Overview We are excited to announce the opportunity to apply for a funded PhD project within the Manchester Metropolitan University’s Faculty of Business and Law. The project will examine how stadium infrastructure arrangements contribute to the development of women’s football and the places in which the game is experienced. Using comparative case studies and mixed methods, the research will explore how stadiums influence supporter attachment, identity and legitimacy, and how these processes relate to attendance and economic outcomes. The project offers an opportunity to contribute to the rapidly expanding field of women’s football research while engaging with leading research communities in sport policy, place management and applied sports economics. The candidate will join Sport Policy Unit’s thriving community of 19 doctoral researchers. They will be encouraged to engage with an international PhD network, seminars and conferences, and a stakeholders’ network, supporting professional development, knowledge exchange and collaboration. Aims and objectives The project has four main objectives: To develop a conceptual framework explaining how stadium infrastructure contributes to placemaking in women’s football. To examine how different infrastructure arrangements shape attachment, identity, and legitimacy. To investigate the relationship between placemaking, supporter attachment, and socioeconomic outcomes, including attendance and supporter spending. To generate evidence-based recommendations for clubs, governing bodies, and policymakers making future infrastructure decisions. Candidate requirements The qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience applicants should have for this project, in addition to our standard entry requirements . The successful candidate should be intellectually curious, proactive, organised, and comfortable working across disciplinary boundaries. Quantitative and analytical capabilities: An ability or willingness to develop skills in collecting, managing, and analysing quantitative data via advanced statistical methods. Qualitative research capabilities: An ability or willingness to develop skills in conducting semi-structured interviews, analysing qualitative data, and undertaking documentary analysis. Knowledge of women’s football, professional football structures, or the commercial and organisational development of women’s sport would be an asset. Ideally, the candidate will have a relevant academic background in at least one of the following disciplines: human geography, sport management, sports economics, or a closely related discipline. Funding and eligibility This studentship is open to home and international applicants. Home and international tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 3-year award. The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £21,805 for the academic year 2026/27. How to apply If you have any questions, please contact the proposed Principal Supervisor, Dr Maurizio Valenti ( [email protected] ). To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in People & Performance. Please note that you are not required to submit a research proposal through the online application portal. Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form , and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal or email the requested documents to [email protected] . Applications closing date: 2 February 2027. Expected start date:October 2027. Please quote the reference: FoBL-MV-2027-28-Women’s football stadiums This PhD project is one of six independent projects open for applications, with only four funded studentships available. All applications will go through an initial review stage conducted by the project supervisors. Candidates selected from this stage will be invited to a second-round interview, where final funding decisions will be made based on performance across all projects.

(Re)claiming and (re)shaping place: The economics and geography of women’s football stadiums. Closing date: 2 February 2027

• To develop a conceptual framework explaining how stadium infrastructure contributes to placemaking in women’s football.
• To examine how different infrastructure arrangements shape attachment, identity, and legitimacy.
• To investigate the relationship between placemaking, supporter attachment, and socioeconomic outcomes, including attendance and supporter spending.
• To generate evidence-based recommendations for clubs, governing bodies, and policymakers making future infrastructure decisions.
• The successful candidate should be intellectually curious, proactive, organised, and comfortable working across disciplinary boundaries.
• Quantitative and analytical capabilities: An ability or willingness to develop skills in collecting, managing, and analysing quantitative data via advanced statistical methods.
• Qualitative research capabilities: An ability or willingness to develop skills in conducting semi-structured interviews, analysing qualitative data, and undertaking documentary analysis.
• Knowledge of women’s football, professional football structures, or the commercial and organisational development of women’s sport would be an asset.
• Ideally, the candidate will have a relevant academic background in at least one of the following disciplines: human geography, sport management, sports economics, or a closely related discipline.
• From Fan to Father: Exploring the Role of Football Fan Communities in Supporting New Fatherhood. Closing date: 2 February 2027 From Fan to Father: Exploring the Role of Football Fan Communities in Supporting New Fatherhood. Closing date: 2 February 2027 Overview We are pleased to announce the opportunity for a funded PhD project within the Faculty of Business and Law at Manchester Metropolitan University. The project will explore the role of football fan communities in supporting new fathers as they start their fatherhood journey. While many men aspire to greater involvement in childcare, they often feel excluded from traditional parenting support, which is frequently oriented towards mothers. The project will explore whether football fan communities, which provide strong social bonds and a sense of belonging for many men, can act as sources of support during early fatherhood. While scholarship has explored how parenthood impacts sports fandom, this has often prioritised the voice of mothers. This project will use qualitative research methods to explore the transformative potential of sports fan communities to support new fathers in their parenting roles and practices. The project has potential to make a significant impact, informing practice within sports clubs and governing bodies. The project will be jointly hosted by the Department of Marketing, International Business and Tourism and the Sport Policy Unit. Therefore, the project is an opportunity to join our vibrant community of academics and doctoral researchers with expertise in fandom, parenthood and sport management. Aims and objectives The project will explore the role of football fan communities as sites of social support during the transition to first-time fatherhood. Specifically, the project is organised around three interrelated strands of inquiry: identity transformation, social support, and masculinity and belonging, underpinning the research objectives: To explore how first-time fathers negotiate and reconstruct their identities as both football fans and parents during the transition to fatherhood. To identify what forms of support (e.g., emotional, informational and practical) football fan communities provide to first-time fathers, and how these forms of support are experienced by fathers themselves. To explore how football fan communities shape, reinforce or challenge understandings of masculinity and fatherhood during the transition to first-time parenthood. Candidate requirements The qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience applicants should have for this project, in addition to our standard entry requirements . Essential: An undergraduate degree (UK first or upper-second class honours, or equivalent) or Masters degree in sport management, marketing, sociology or related disciplines. Ability to work independently. An interest in issues surrounding parenthood, sport and fandom. Desirable: Experience of conducting qualitative research projects (e.g. dissertation project, summer internship, industrial placement). Practical experience working in sport management or related fields. Funding and eligibility This studentship is open to home and international applicants. Home and international tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 3-year award. The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £21,805 for the academic year 2026/27. How to apply If you have any questions, please contact the proposed Principal Supervisor, Dr Leah Gillooly ( [email protected] ). To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Marketing. Please note that you are not required to submit a research proposal through the online application portal. Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form , and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal or email the requested documents to [email protected] . Applications closing date: 2 February 2027. Expected start date:October 2027. Please quote the reference: FoBL-LG-2027-28-Fandom and Fatherhood This PhD project is one of six independent projects open for applications, with only four funded studentships available. All applications will go through an initial review stage conducted by the project supervisors. Candidates selected from this stage will be invited to a second-round interview, where final funding decisions will be made based on performance across all projects.

From Fan to Father: Exploring the Role of Football Fan Communities in Supporting New Fatherhood. Closing date: 2 February 2027

• To explore how first-time fathers negotiate and reconstruct their identities as both football fans and parents during the transition to fatherhood.
• To identify what forms of support (e.g., emotional, informational and practical) football fan communities provide to first-time fathers, and how these forms of support are experienced by fathers themselves.
• To explore how football fan communities shape, reinforce or challenge understandings of masculinity and fatherhood during the transition to first-time parenthood.
• An undergraduate degree (UK first or upper-second class honours, or equivalent) or Masters degree in sport management, marketing, sociology or related disciplines.
• Ability to work independently.
• An interest in issues surrounding parenthood, sport and fandom.
• Experience of conducting qualitative research projects (e.g. dissertation project, summer internship, industrial placement).
• Practical experience working in sport management or related fields.
• Legal Geographies of Vehicle Dwelling. Closing date: 2 February 2027 Legal Geographies of Vehicle Dwelling. Closing date: 2 February 2027 Overview Applications are invited for a funded PhD studentship with the Manchester Law School at Manchester Metropolitan University. This socio-legal research project will explore the everyday legalities and mobilities of vehicular dwelling. Vehicular dwelling sits uneasily within legal and spatial categories designed around fixed forms of residence. As people increasingly live, travel and work from vehicles, they move through legal and jurisdictional spaces, encountering a range of legal processes: parking and traffic regulation; insurance; social care; health; employment; education; planning and waste management, each overlaid by a longstanding legal tension around the public/private divide. Drawing on legal geography and mobilities scholarship, this project understands vehicular dwelling as a form of everyday mobility through which law, movement and dwelling are continually negotiated. Exploring ‘van life’ as a specific form of vehicular dwelling, this project expands on the aspirational and/or touristified framing of this way of life to scrutinise inequities, immobility and systemic legal inadequacies faced by vehicle dwellers. The Manchester Law School offers research excellence in socio-legal studies, including in legal geography, with the supervisory team offering expertise in spatio-legal methodologies and topics, including inequalities, rights and justice. Aims and objectives This project aims to examine how mobile forms of dwelling are governed and regulated. Research Objectives: To map the plural legal and regulatory frameworks encountered through vehicular dwelling. To understand vehicle dwellers’ everyday experiences of these legal and regulatory frameworks and how they shape mobility practices. To understand what these encounters reveal about the normative assumptions underpinning law and its privileging of fixed forms of dwelling. Candidate requirements The qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience applicants should have for this project, in addition to our standard entry requirements . A postgraduate degree (or equivalent) in the subject of law or a field demonstrably relevant to the area of research inquiry (together with a first-class or upper second class undergraduate degree in a related subject). Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Enthusiasm for multidisciplinary research and innovative methodologies. Research experience in socio-legal studies or legal geography is desirable though not essential. Highly motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team. Funding and eligibility This studentship is open to home and international applicants. Home and international tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 3-year award. The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £21,805 for the academic year 2026/27. How to apply If you have any questions, please contact the proposed Principal Supervisor, Dr Christopher Morris ( [email protected] ). To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Law. Please note that you are not required to submit a research proposal through the online application portal. Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form , and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal or email the requested documents to [email protected] . Applications closing date: 2 February 2027. Expected start date:October 2027. Please quote the reference: FoBL-CM-2027-28-Legal Geographies Vanlife This PhD project is one of six independent projects open for applications, with only four funded studentships available. All applications will go through an initial review stage conducted by the project supervisors. Candidates selected from this stage will be invited to a second-round interview, where final funding decisions will be made based on performance across all projects.

Legal Geographies of Vehicle Dwelling. Closing date: 2 February 2027

• To map the plural legal and regulatory frameworks encountered through vehicular dwelling.
• To understand vehicle dwellers’ everyday experiences of these legal and regulatory frameworks and how they shape mobility practices.
• To understand what these encounters reveal about the normative assumptions underpinning law and its privileging of fixed forms of dwelling.
• A postgraduate degree (or equivalent) in the subject of law or a field demonstrably relevant to the area of research inquiry (together with a first-class or upper second class undergraduate degree in a related subject).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Enthusiasm for multidisciplinary research and innovative methodologies.
• Research experience in socio-legal studies or legal geography is desirable though not essential.
• Highly motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Board Approaches to Workforce Engagement, Employee-Perceived Effectiveness, and Sustainable Corporate Efficiency in UK Firms. Closing date: 2 February 2027 Board Approaches to Workforce Engagement, Employee-Perceived Effectiveness, and Sustainable Corporate Efficiency in UK Firms. Closing date: 2 February 2027 Overview This project intends to examine how workforce engagement mechanisms recommended by the UK Corporate Governance Code relate to sustainable corporate efficiency through employees’ perceived effectiveness. The Code recommends that boards engage with their workforce through one or more of three mechanisms: a workforce director, workforce advisory panel, or designated non-executive director. These provisions reflect the Financial Reporting Council’s view that effective workforce engagement can contribute to long-term sustainable growth. However, given the UK’s long-standing shareholder-primacy model and differences in how these mechanisms enable employees to communicate with boards and influence strategic and monitoring decisions, whether they shape employees’ perceived effectiveness and, in turn, sustainable corporate efficiency remains under-explored. The project intends to address this gap by combining primary survey data on employees’ perceived effectiveness with secondary firm-level data on engagement mechanisms and sustainable corporate efficiency. The findings will contribute to corporate governance policy and help companies develop more meaningful and effective approaches to workforce engagement. Aims and objectives The project aims to examine how workforce engagement mechanisms recommended by the UK Corporate Governance Code relate to sustainable corporate efficiency and whether employees’ perceived effectiveness of engagement explains this relationship. The objectives are to: Assess whether employees’ perceived effectiveness of workforce engagement differs across the Code-recommended mechanisms. Examine the association between different workforce engagement mechanisms and sustainable corporate efficiency. Investigate whether employees’ perceived effectiveness of workforce engagement mediates the relationship between the engagement mechanism adopted and sustainable corporate efficiency. Candidate requirements The qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience applicants should have for this project, in addition to our standard entry requirements . We welcome applications from candidates with strong academic backgrounds across a range of disciplines, including accounting and finance, human resource management, organisational studies, sustainability and environmental management, and sustainability science. We particularly encourage applications from candidates from the Global South, Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) backgrounds, and other groups currently underrepresented in the doctoral research community. Prior experience in quantitative research and data analysis using statistical software such as Stata, R or EViews would be particularly advantageous. Funding and eligibility This studentship is open to home and international applicants. Home and international tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 3-year award. The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £21,805 for the academic year 2026/27. How to apply If you have any questions, please contact the proposed Principal Supervisor, Dr Md Abdus Sobhan ( [email protected] ). To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Finance. Please note that you are not required to submit a research proposal through the online application portal. Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form , and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal or email the requested documents to [email protected] . Applications closing date: 2 February 2027. Expected start date:October 2027. Please quote the reference: FoBL-MAS-2027-28-Sustainable Corporate Efficiency This PhD project is one of six independent projects open for applications, with only four funded studentships available. All applications will go through an initial review stage conducted by the project supervisors. Candidates selected from this stage will be invited to a second-round interview, where final funding decisions will be made based on performance across all projects.

Board Approaches to Workforce Engagement, Employee-Perceived Effectiveness, and Sustainable Corporate Efficiency in UK Firms. Closing date: 2 February 2027

• Assess whether employees’ perceived effectiveness of workforce engagement differs across the Code-recommended mechanisms.
• Examine the association between different workforce engagement mechanisms and sustainable corporate efficiency.
• Investigate whether employees’ perceived effectiveness of workforce engagement mediates the relationship between the engagement mechanism adopted and sustainable corporate efficiency.
• Tiny Multimodal Learning Under Resource Constraints. Closing date: 12 February 2027 Tiny Multimodal Learning Under Resource Constraints. Closing date: 12 February 2027 Overview Modern artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly relies on combining multiple sources of information, such as sound, motion, images, and sensor data, to achieve robust and intelligent behaviour. However, most existing multimodal AI systems depend on large, computationally intensive models that are difficult to deploy in settings with limited resources. This PhD project explores a different question: how can multimodal intelligence be achieved using minimal, efficient representations under resource constraints? The project will investigate Tiny Multimodal Learning, a research direction focused on understanding what is essential for multimodal learning when computation, memory, or energy are limited. Rather than scaling up models, the research aims to identify principled, lightweight methods for representing and combining multimodal information over time. Grounded in machine learning, representation learning, and efficient algorithms, the work addresses real-world challenges in sustainable and accessible AI. As a PhD researcher, you will gain experience in multimodal machine learning, experimental benchmarking, and algorithmic design, with opportunities to explore connections to dynamical systems and efficient model architectures. You will work in a supportive and inclusive doctoralenvironment, with access to strong research facilities, interdisciplinary collaboration, training in research and professional skills, and opportunities to publish at leading international venues. Aims and objectives The aim of this PhD project is to develop principled and efficient methods for multimodal learning under resource constraints. The research seeks to understand how different types of data—such as audio, motion, images and sensor signals—can be combined using minimal representations without relying on large, computationally intensive models. Key objectives include: Reviewing and benchmarking existing multimodal learning approaches under limited computational resources Investigating lightweight representations and fusion strategies for multimodal data Studying how temporal structure and missing data affect multimodal learning Identifying fundamental trade-offs between accuracy, efficiency, and robustness. The project emphasises foundational machine learning research while maintaining strong relevance to real-world, resource-aware AI systems. Candidate requirements The qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience applicants should have for this project, in addition to our standard entry requirements . Essential: A first-class or upper second-class (2:1) Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree (or equivalent), in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a closely related discipline. A strong foundation in programming (e.g. Python) and core concepts in machine learning or data analysis. Ability to engage with research literature and develop analytical, problem-solving, and algorithmic thinking skills. Good written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Desirable: Experience with deep learning (frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow), multimodal data analysis is beneficial but not required. We welcome motivated candidates from diverse backgrounds keen to develop strong research skills through critical literature review, experimental evaluation, and methodological innovation. Funding and eligibility This studentship is open to home and international applicants. Home and international tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 3-year award. The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £21,805 for the academic year 2026/27. How to apply If you have any questions, please contact the proposed Principal Supervisor, Professor Liangxiu Han ( [email protected] ). To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Computing & Digital Technology. Please note that you are not required to submit a research proposal through the online application portal. Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form , and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal or email the requested documents to [email protected] . Applications closing date: 12 February 2027. Expected start date:October 2027. Please quote the reference: SciEng-LH-2027-28-Tiny Multimodal Learning

Tiny Multimodal Learning Under Resource Constraints. Closing date: 12 February 2027

• Reviewing and benchmarking existing multimodal learning approaches under limited computational resources
• Investigating lightweight representations and fusion strategies for multimodal data
• Studying how temporal structure and missing data affect multimodal learning
• Identifying fundamental trade-offs between accuracy, efficiency, and robustness.
• A first-class or upper second-class (2:1) Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree (or equivalent), in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a closely related discipline.
• A strong foundation in programming (e.g. Python) and core concepts in machine learning or data analysis.
• Ability to engage with research literature and develop analytical, problem-solving, and algorithmic thinking skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Experience with deep learning (frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow), multimodal data analysis is beneficial but not required.

Other scholarships

Applications are invited for three fully-funded Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Doctoral Landscape Awards (DLA). Please visit our website for more information.

Manchester Met is part of White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP), which offers fully funded studentships in Social Sciences. Please visit our website for more information.

Other UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) research councils also provide scholarships for doctoral projects. If you are proposing your own research project, you may be able to apply to UKRI for funding. If we accept your project, your supervisory team will support your funding application.

• Fund your research degree or PhD From self-finance to loans, scholarships to sponsorship, we explain ways to pay for your doctoral research. Find out more

Fund your research degree or PhD

• Doctoral training partnerships Fully funded scholarships across the social sciences and Arts and Humanities. Find out more

Doctoral training partnerships

• Doctoral Landscape Awards Applications are invited for three fully-funded Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Doctoral Landscape Awards (DLA). Find out more

Get in touch

If you have any funding questions, you can email [email protected] .

Research areas