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PhD opportunities: Machine Learning

Compare 9 doctoral research opportunities connected with Machine Learning, including project summaries, funding and application deadlines.

Machine Learning

Developing Quantum Computing and AI tools for mRNA structure prediction

University of Sheffield

About the Project The aim of this PhD project is to develop quantum computing and AI methods for mRNA structure prediction, in collaboration with a large pharmaceutical company contributing 50% of the award. The project will study how mRNA molecules fold into different structures and develop new computational methods to identify relevant and stable candidates more efficiently.

Location
Sheffield, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
28 September 2026
Funding
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Machine Learning

AI-Enhanced Iris Recognition: Transforming Biometric Security for a Safer World

Kingston University

About the Project This PhD opportunity explores the exciting intersection of AI and Iris Recognition, aiming to revolutionize biometric security for a safer world. In an era where security threats are continually evolving, biometric authentication methods have gained prominence as robust safeguards for protecting sensitive information and assets. Among these methods, iris recognition stands out as an exceptionally secure and efficient approach.

Location
London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Machine Learning

Enhancing Danger and Hazard Perception in Robotic Guide Dogs

Kingston University

About the Project For many years, guide dogs have been incredibly helpful friends for people with vision impairments such as Blind or Low Vision (BLV), giving them the freedom and mobility they need to go about their everyday lives. However, there is a shortage of trained dogs, and the process of training requires a lot time and money. Moreover, maintaining guide dogs requires a lot of resources.

Location
London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Machine Learning

Integrating Professional Judgement with Machine Learning Models for Enhanced Construction Cost Estimation and Prediction in Contextually Variable Projects

Kingston University

About the Project Construction cost estimating and prediction have been modelled using stochastic and parametric approaches. Algorithmic tools have been developed to improve precision and accuracy of estimates and forecasts of construction costs. Yet construction cost prediction remains dynamic in the sense that each project is unique not just in design and construction, but also in the prevailing client and environmental context.

Location
London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Machine Learning

Interpretable AI for travel behaviour: Embedding theory in machine learning

Edinburgh Napier University

About the Project Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are increasingly used to forecast travel behaviour, offering impressive predictive capacity. Yet many such models lack grounding in behavioural theory and operate as “black boxes” that obscure how or why decisions are made.

Location
Edinburgh, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Machine Learning

Leveraging statistics to develop new methodologies for subjective quality assessment

Kingston University

About the Project Subjective tests for the assessment of the quality of experience (QoE) are typically run with a pool of subjects providing their opinion scores using a 5-point scale. The subjects’ mean opinion score (MOS) is generally assumed as the best estimation of the average score in the target population.

Location
London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Machine Learning

Machine Learning-based Optimisation of Relativistic Laser–Plasma Coupling for Efficient Fusion Ignition

University of Strathclyde

About the Project Fusion research has recently reached major milestones, showing that laser‑driven fusion could one day become a practical clean‑energy source. To make further progress, we need to understand and control how powerful lasers transfer energy to plasma. This PhD focuses on developing new ways to predict and optimise this laser–plasma coupling using experiments, advanced simulations, and modern machine‑learning techniques.

Location
Glasgow, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Machine Learning

Multimodal Multilingual Sentiment Analysis

Edinburgh Napier University

About the Project Multimodal multilingual sentiment analysis involves analysing sentiments expressed in different modalities (such as text, images, audio) and across different languages. This complex task begins with integrating and representing diverse data types, including textual, visual, and auditory information.

Location
Edinburgh, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Machine Learning

Small Language Models

University of Aberdeen

About the Project These projects are open to students worldwide, but have no funding attached. Therefore, the successful applicant will be expected to fund tuition fees at the relevant level (home or international) and any applicable additional research costs. Please consider this before applying. This project aims to build compact models that achieve LLM-level accuracy while being efficient enough for everyday devices.

Location
Aberdeen, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only