PhD Studentship: Adaptive Logic-Based Machine Learning Grids

Closes: 18th February 2026

Reference: DLA2625

Award Summary

100% fees covered, and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate). Additional project costs will also be provided.

Overview

This project will develop an adaptable Machine Learning (ML) hardware architecture to solve Artificial Intelligence (AI) classification tasks using Internet of Things (IoT) sensor data. This will be a small system-on-chip designed to operate on the edge (i.e. close to the sensor). The project will explore whether emerging logic-based ML algorithms can be translated into smaller, faster, more energy efficient and cost-effective hardware compared to the current state-of-the-art. The project will align the in-house algorithm-to-hardware development of the Micro-Systems Research Group at Newcastle University with next-generation Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) hardware technologies i.e. OpenFPGA.

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

1st October 2026

Award Duration

4 Years

Sponsor

EPSRC

Supervisors

Tousif Rahman

Rishad Shafik

Alex Yakovlev

Eligibility Criteria

We are adopting a contextual admissions process. This means we will consider other key competencies and experience alongside your academic qualifications. An example can be found here.

A minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project is our standard entry, however we place value on prior experience, enthusiasm for research, and the ability to think and work independently. Excellent Analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements. A Masters qualification may not be required if you have a minimum 2:1 degree or can evidence alternative experience in a work or research-based project. If you have alternative qualifications or experience, please contact us to discuss flexibilities and request an exemption.

Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills. International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme.

How To Apply

Please read and complete this document as your Personal statement, and upload this with your application. Applications which do not include this document will not be considered. Further details can be found here.

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal via the ‘Apply’ button above.

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application.’

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:

• search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8060F
• select ‘Electrical and Electronic Engineering PhD (full time) - 8060F’ as the programme of study

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:

• a ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) – Use this template.
• the studentship code DLA2625 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field.
• when prompted for how you are providing your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert. You do not need to upload a research proposal.

You must submit one application per studentship; you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application.