PhD Studentship & Graduate Teaching Assistant

Birkbeck, University of London

Birkbeck, University of London, is seeking a passionate candidate to undertake a full-time PhD research in computing or mathematical sciences, and provide assistance to academic staff as a part-time Graduate Teaching Assistant. The post holder will be registered as a full-time research (PhD) student within the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences for the period of employment with registration fees waived.

As a Graduate Teaching Assistant, you will:

• Pursue research study towards a PhD thesis.
• Provide assistance to staff involved in teaching - supporting classes, marking and leading seminar discussions online.
• Undertake administration to ensure the effective running of programmes.

To be successful in this role, you will:

• Demonstrate the potential to conduct high-quality research in computer science, mathematics, statistics and/or probability theory.
• Support teaching at postgraduate level online.

Moreover, you will:

• Have a good first degree or masters in a discipline relevant to computer science, mathematics, statistics and/or probability theory.
• Have a practical knowledge of the Python programming language, and SQL.
• Have a good understanding of Information Systems, and Data Management.
• Be eligible for acceptance to the MPhil/PhD in the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences.

Submit an application to the department - full-time MPhil/PhD including an original research proposal.

For further details, please consult the guides:

• MPhil/PhD Computer Science and Information Systems
• MPhil/PhD Mathematics and Statistics

Our research is organised around three main themes:

• AI and Data Science
• Discrete Mathematics and Algorithms
• Logical Methods

The School is particularly interested in supervising research that aligns with the work of the research groups and centres. A non-exclusive list of topics and supervisors is included below. Applicants who wish to pursue a PhD in a different field will also be considered.

• Mathematical Analysis of Reconstruction Error for Off-Shore Wind Measurement Systems
  Dr Anthony Brooms
• Software Engineering, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Large Language Models
  Dr Taolue Chen
• Static Program analysis and verification, termination analysis, term rewriting
  Dr Carsten Fuhs
• Graph Databases, Data Modelling, Process Modelling
  Dr Jan Hidders
• Combinatorial aspects of cryptography and information security
  Prof Maura Paterson
• AI in Finance: new models and data streams
  Dr Alessandro Provetti
• Probability theory: Interacting particle systems
  Dr Richard Pymar
• Designing network algorithms founded on graph theory
  Dr Felix Reidl
• Extraction of Rules and Specifications from Temporal Data
  Dr Vladislav Ryzhikov
• Novel diffusion model learning algorithms for synthetic DNA sequence design
  Dr Cen Wan

Please note that separate applications will be required:

Full-time PhD application with accompanying research proposal for the PhD post for either:

• Computer Science and Information Systems
• Mathematics and Statistics

A job application form for the graduate teaching assistant post, submitted via the 'Apply' button above.

Total salary: £19,490 rising to £22,123 per year (0.5 FTE) (pro-rated & £38,981 rising to £44,247) 1 FTE Grade 6

Terms and Conditions

Four year fixed-term contract, starting 1 July. Teaching post is part time (17.5 hours a week term time) alongside completion of a PhD

Closing date: 1 May 2026

Interview date: 25 May 2026

To know more about the role, please contact Martyn Harris, Programme Director

This post is open for Visa Sponsorship