PhD Studentship: Research Studentship in Control Engineering- Sustainable and Circular AI Systems
Overview
This is a 3.5-year D.Phil. research studentship in control engineering focusing on sustainable and circular artificial intelligence systems. Based at the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford, the successful student will investigate how the rapid growth of artificial intelligence can be supported by more sustainable and circular hardware and infrastructure. The research will explore alternative pathways for data centre development, examine demand for critical and secondary raw materials, and evaluate circular economy strategies such as lifetime extension, reuse, repair, upgrading, and remanufacture. The student will join the Circular Economy and Sustainability Lab and contribute to the Circular Electricals and Electronics Project. The start date for the position is October 2027.
Who can apply
The studentship is open to both home and overseas students covering the full award of fees and a stipend. Candidates must hold a first-class or strong upper-second-class undergraduate degree with honours, or an equivalent qualification, in engineering or a related discipline.
What you get
The award covers course fees for both home and overseas students. In addition, it provides a tax-free maintenance grant stipend of approximately £21,805 per annum for the first year, continuing at least at this amount for a further two and a half years, totalling 3.5 years of funding.
Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate skills and experience in the quantitative modelling and analysis of engineering, material, or technology systems, alongside excellent spoken and written English communication skills. Desirable but non-essential qualifications include experience in Life Cycle Assessment, Material Flow Analysis, or related modelling techniques, as well as background knowledge in circular economy strategies, sustainable engineering, product design, computing hardware, electronics, data centres, or artificial intelligence infrastructure. Experience in contributing to academic research projects, collaborating with industry partners, and presenting findings to stakeholders is also viewed favourably, alongside an enthusiasm for circular economy solutions.
How to apply
Interested individuals are encouraged to make informal enquiries to Professor Lucia Corsini. Candidates must submit a graduate application form while meeting the graduate admissions criteria, ensuring they quote the reference code in all correspondence and on their application.
Key dates
The application deadline is noon on 2 December 2026. The studentship is scheduled to begin in October 2027.
About University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a collegiate research university in Oxford, England. Teaching there is documented from the late eleventh century, which makes it one of the oldest universities in the world, although its exact founding date is unknown. It has no single central campus, and its buildings are spread throughout the city. Every student belongs to a college, and the colleges operate alongside the university's academic departments, which are grouped into divisions.
Source: Wikipedia
Links in this posting
- The DPhil student will join the Circular Economy and Sustainability Lab and contribute to the Circular Electricals and Electronics Project, which seeks to enable a low-carbon, Circular Economy for Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
- The DPhil student will join the Circular Economy and Sustainability Lab and contribute to the Circular Electricals and Electronics Project, which seeks to enable a low-carbon, Circular Economy for Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
- Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be addressed to Prof Lucia Corsini (lucia.corsini@eng.ox.ac.uk).
- Candidates must submit a graduate application form and are expected to meet the graduate admissions criteria. Details are available on the course page of the University website.