About the Project
Overview
Artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities to make games more accessible and inclusive for everyone. This PhD project will explore how AI can support players with visual impairments by enhancing understanding, navigation, and interaction within game worlds. Potential areas include dynamic guidance systems, adaptive game content, and personalised accessibility features that respond to players’ needs in real time.
Based within the Games Science Lab at the Department of Computing and Mathematics, the project builds on our growing research in AI-enabled accessibility and adaptive game design. The successful candidate will work with an interdisciplinary supervisory team, benefiting from expertise in adaptive systems, accessibility and human-computer interaction, and artificial intelligence. The research will provide valuable experience in game development, user-centred design, accessibility research, and experimental evaluation.
The project offers access to specialist facilities, an established research community, and opportunities to collaborate with academics, industry partners, and users. As part of our supportive doctoral environment, the student will receive training, mentoring, and professional development opportunities that prepare them for careers in academia, industry, or research innovation. By helping remove barriers to play, this research has the potential to improve the gaming experiences and contribute to a more inclusive future for digital entertainment.
Objectives
This PhD project will explore how Artificial Intelligence can create adaptive accessibility solutions that make games more inclusive for players with diverse needs. The research aims to:
- Develop an open-source toolkit capable of intelligently adapting game experiences to individual accessibility requirements across different game genres.
- Identify key requirements, design and train AI-driven adaptation methods, and evaluate their effectiveness in both laboratory and real-world settings by working with players, developers, and accessibility stakeholders.
- Provide opportunities to publish research, develop advanced skills in AI, accessibility, and game technologies, and contribute to solutions that can improve access to digital entertainment for millions of people worldwide.
Candidate requirements
Applicants should hold, or expect to achieve, a First-Class or Upper Second-Class (2:1) degree in a computing-related discipline.
Essential
- Experience of game development using engines such as Unity, evidenced through a portfolio of work submitted with their application.
- Strong programming skills and the ability to undertake independent research to a high academic standard.
- Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills, alongside a passion for improving accessibility and player experiences through innovative technologies.
Desirable
- Experience in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, accessibility and inclusive design, human-computer interaction, user-centred evaluation, or software development would be advantageous.
Funding
These are doctoral teaching assistant positions that combine a PhD programme with a university teaching contract. Your time will be split approximately 60% on research and 40% on teaching. This provides excellent preparation for candidates considering an academic career at a university. The teaching component will typically run over the 22 teaching weeks per year and the 4 assessment weeks. You will help deliver an outstanding student experience by supporting lead academics with classroom and lab teaching and assessment, further building the skills developed within your PhD research programme.
The position is grade 6 with a current salary of £31,236 and includes payment of home PhD tuition fees for the duration of the 6-year award. Home students can apply. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
How to apply
The School of Computing and Mathematics is inviting applications for eight independent doctoral projects, with five funded Doctoral Teaching Assistant positions available. All applications will go through an initial review stage conducted by the project supervisors. Candidates selected from this stage will be invited to an interview, where final funding decisions will be made based on performance across all projects.
If you have any questions, contact the principal supervisor, Dr John Henry.
To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a part 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 send them to the PGR Admissions team at pgradmissions@mmu.ac.uk.
Please quote the reference: SciEng-DTA Jan 2027-JH-Accessibility AI Games
Application link: PhD Computing and Digital Technology — six years part-time
Funding Notes
These are doctoral teaching assistant positions that combine a PhD programme with a university teaching contract. Your time will be split approximately 60% on research and 40% on teaching. This provides excellent preparation for candidates considering an academic career at a university. The teaching component will typically run over the 22 teaching weeks per year and the 4 assessment weeks. You will help deliver an outstanding student experience by supporting lead academics with classroom and lab teaching and assessment, further building the skills developed within your PhD research programme.
The position is grade 6 with a current salary of £31,236 and includes payment of home PhD tuition fees for the duration of the 6-year award. Home students can apply. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
This is a Preview Listing…
You must sign in to see the full job description, and to apply.
Manage / Upgrade this job to a Full Job Listing.
Find Your Best Opportunity
Tell them AcademicJobs.com sent you!