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PhD Studentships

Architecture, Built Environment, Computing and Engineering

Shape the future

At the heart of our Strategy for 2030 and Beyond, it is our mission to enable our students to transform their lives and to achieve their potential. Through our education and research, and the roles our graduates go on to play in the world, we not only support individuals to transform their lives, but we also play a part in transforming society. 

Located in the centre of the UK’s second city, we are a university with a long heritage of innovation and of making, dating back to our origins in 1843 when we were founded as the Birmingham Government School of Design. Our heritage of making through innovation and its application through knowledge exchange, and of creative research and practice, today finds it expression in our STEAM agenda, in our research and enterprise, and in our commitment to challenge-based learning. Working across disciplines, and delivering impactful research and enterprise, interdisciplinarity is at the heart of the continuing transformation of our academic portfolio. 

The School of Architecture, Built Environment, Computing and Engineering (ABCE), is a large and diverse place to study right in the heart of the city. We currently have exciting opportunities for 35 PhD students to join our dynamic team, in the Departments of Architecture and Built Environment, Computer Science, and Engineering for a February 2026 start date. These positions are for exceptional quality candidates, either Home or International. We offer fully funded PhD studentships at home or international fees rates, plus a stipend set in-line with UK Research & Innovation rates, for 36 months.  

How to apply

If you looking to advance your career while looking for a modern campus receiving significant investment, you are encouraged to contact the intended Director of Studies (contact listed below for each studentship) or the doctoral college: DRC.CEBE@bcu.ac.uk, for general enquiries regarding admission and PhD studies at BCU. 

The deadline for applications for all funded opportunities will be Midday (UK Time) on Wednesday 17th September 2025 for a start date of 2nd February 2026. 

Each Studentship has its own Project ID number, which is listed on the advert. Please ensure you include the Project ID number of the studentship you wish to apply for in your application and on your completed Doctoral Studentship Proposal. 

Computer Science Studentships

  • Let’s CollabAR-8: Improved Co-Dependent Interaction in Collaborative Virtual Environments

    Project ID: 02 - 45488280​​

    Director of Study: ian.williams@bcu.ac.uk 

    Apply now

  • ​Deep Learning–Based MultiSensor Change Detection for Monitoring LandCover Dynamics​

    Project ID: 03 - 45819641

    Director of Study: mohamed.ihmeida@bcu.ac.uk

    Apply now

  • Machine Learning Based Relevance Filtering of Shared Cyber Threat Intelligence​

    Project ID: 07 - 45488234​ 

    Director of Study: Khaled.mahbub@bcu.ac.uk

    Apply now

  • ​​Digital Transformation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: an Automated Predictive Model for Forecasting and Measuring the Scope and Scale of Digital Change in Sociotechnical Systems

    Project ID: 08 - 46384786​ 

    Director of Study: Sharon.cox@bcu.ac.uk​

    Apply now

  • Applying AI to Generate Accurate Building Models for the new UK’s HEM Energy Assessment Framework​

    Project ID:11 - 45475970 

    Director of Study: essa.shahra@bcu.ac.uk 

    Apply now

  • AIBLOCKSYS: A Blockchain-Based Framework for Tracking Ownership, Versioning, and Transactions of Artificial Intelligence Models

    Project ID: 12 - ​46493819​

    Director of Study: Sabreen.ahmadjee@bcu.ac.uk​

    Apply now

  • Adaptive AI ERP Interfaces (APART): Technical framework and Evaluation Methodology for building adaptive AI user interfaces within an ERP environment.

    Project ID: 14 - 45489912 

    Director of Study: samer.bamansoor@bcu.ac.uk 

    Apply now

  • ​​AR4AV: Towards Accessible Pedestrian-Autonomous Vehicle Interaction for Sensory-Disabled People Using Augmented Reality​

    Project ID:15 - 45391463 
    Director of Study: wenge.xu@bcu.ac.uk

    Apply now

  • ​​Context-Aware Framework for Detecting False Data Injection Attacks in Connected and Automated Vehicles​

    Project ID: 16 - 45480630 
    Director of Study: fuad.ghaleb@bcu.ac.uk 

    Apply now

  • ​AI-Driven Early Detection and Progression Tracking of Dementia Through CT Scan Images​

    Project ID: 18 - 46459643 

    Director of Study: debashish.das@bcu.ac.uk​

    Apply now

  • ​MotherHubs: Understanding the Role of Immersive Technologies in Community Driven Approaches to Support Postpartum Maternal Mental Health.

    Project ID: 21 - 45375931 ​ 

    Director of Study: maite.frutos@bcu.ac.uk​ 

    Apply now

  • QuickStream: Rethinking Live Video Streaming: Towards Achieving Low-Latency Delivery

    Project ID: 22 - 46460130​ 

    Director of Study: waqas.rahman@bcu.ac.uk

    Apply now

  • SHAPE-5 Smart System Architectures for Industry 5.0: A Human-Centred Approach to IoT Integration to Support Worker Experience and Process Efficiency

    Project ID: 23 - 46468992​ 

    Director of Study: waldo.cervantes@bcu.ac.uk​ 

    Apply now

  • SMARTPED: Smart Urban Energy Systems: Integrating Deep Learning and Digital Twins for Positive Energy Distribution

    Project ID: 24 - 45462304 
    Director of Study: syedattique.shah@bcu.ac.uk 

    Apply now

  • TWIN6-CAV: Digital Twin-Driven Intelligent and Cyber-Resilient 6G Networks for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

    Project ID: 25 - 46458591​​ 

    Director of Study: Berna.bulut@bcu.ac.uk

    Apply now

  • ​​XR for Autism: Digital therapeutic solutions for improving the wellbeing of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.​​

    Project ID: 26 - 45489421​​ 

    Director of Study: kurtis.weir@bcu.ac.uk 

    Apply now

  • ​​​Designing Adaptive Multisensory Environments for Inclusive Learning and Therapy with Disabled Children​​

    Project ID: 27 - ​​45203878​​

    Director of Study: beatrice.vincenzi@bcu.ac.uk​ 

    Apply now

  • AISNOMA: AI-Driven Resource-Efficient Sensing and Communication Framework for NOMA-Enabled IoT Networks in 6G Systems

    Project ID: 34 - 46459727​ 

    Director of Study: Raouf.abozariba@bcu.ac.uk​

    Apply now

  • AI4NETZero: Artificial Intelligence for Energy Efficiency and Emission Reduction Toward Net Zero

    Project ID: 35 - 45490135 
    Director of Study: ogerta.elezaj@bcu.ac.uk 

    Apply now

Architecture and Built Environment Studentships

  • Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience through AI-Driven Disruption Mitigation in Off-Site Construction Logistics Operations​

    Project ID: 01 - 46456572​ 

    Director of Study: Anushika.Mudiyanselage@bcu.ac.uk 

    Apply now

  • ​​Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment and Performance Analysis of Timber Buildings under Sequential Earthquake and Fire Events

    Project ID: 06 - 46456496​ 

    Director of Study: saeid.javidi@bcu.ac.uk​.

    Apply now

  • The impact of nutrient neutrality requirements in the UK housing projects​

    Project ID: 09 - 46543366​ 

    Director of Study:  hong.xiao@bcu.ac.uk​

    Apply now

  • Semantic Open-BIM Digital Twin Framework for Data-Driven Prefabricated Building Retrofit with Circular Energy Integration​

    Project ID: 10 - ​46456649​​ 

    Director of Study: ilnaz.ashayeri@bcu.ac.uk​ 

    Apply now

  • AIDIGFIRE: Developing smart buildings fire safety management using an integration of artificial intelligence and digital twin technologies

    Project ID: 13 - 46456414 

    Director of Study: javad.hashempour@bcu.ac.uk 

    Apply now

  • DOSRI: Data-Centric Offshore Site Characterisation for Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure

    Project ID: 17 - 46466625 

    Director of Study: shuyin.feng@bcu.ac.uk

    Apply now

  • ​​Managing Single Use Plastics in Construction​

    Project ID: 28 - 41456693​ 

    Director of Study:  Solomon.adjei@bcu.ac.uk 

    Apply now

  • TWIN-SURE: Enabling Resilient Supply Chains through Digital Twins

    Project ID: 33 - 46466500​ 

    Director of Study: Mohammad.Mayouf@bcu.ac.uk​

    Apply now

  • DS-BE: Common Data Spaces for a Sustainable Built Environment

    Project ID: 32 - 46458275​ 

    Director of Study: panagiotis.patlakas@bcu.ac.uk 

    Apply now

  • SILF-MMC: Enhancing Sustainability and Innovation in the Housing Construction Sector through Modern Methods of Construction Adoption by Learning from Failures.

    Project ID: 33 - 46466500​ 

    Director of Study: danstan.chiponde@bcu.ac.uk.

    Apply now

Engineering Studentships

  • ​​​Electromagnetic Energy Harvester for EV Suspension Systems​​

    Project ID: 04 - 46458250​ 

    Director of Study: chitta.saha@bcu.ac.uk

    Apply now

  • FLAIR: AIoT Flood Monitoring System

    Project ID: 05 - 45474777 

    Director of Study: waheb.abdullah@bcu.ac.uk 

    Apply now

  • Design of a Fail-Operational Electric Vehicle Propulsion System

    Project ID: 19 - 45376742 
    Director of Study: fawaz.annaz@bcu.ac.uk 

    Apply now

  • ​​Multiscale numerical modelling of PBF-LB process for producing additive manufacturing materials with higher resistance to hydrogen embrittlement​

    Project ID: 20 - 46470297 ​ 

    Director of Study: michal.krzyzanowski@bcu.ac.uk​

    Apply now

  • ​​AI-Driven Maintenance Optimization for Minigrid​

    Project ID: 29 - 46456366​ 

    Director of Study: florimond.gueniat@bcu.ac.uk

    Apply now

  • Advanced Ultra-Low Carbon and Carbon Neutral Fuels for Hybrid Powertrain applicable to Heavy Goods Vehicle Application

    Project ID: ​​30 - 45488114​

    Director of Study: Mostafiz.Rahman@bcu.ac.uk

    Apply now