"PhD Studentship"

About the Award

Applications are invited for a three-year postgraduate studentship to be undertaken with the Big Data and Innovation Lab at the University of Hertfordshire. The studentship includes a full tuition fee waiver for three years and a stipend.

Project Description

The HARVIST (Hub for Agricultural Resilience through Value-chain, Irrigation, Storage, and Technology) project will pilot three fully integrated, digitally enabled agricultural ecosystems featuring solar-powered irrigation, cold storage, traceable logistics, predictive maintenance, and a blockchain-based marketplace—all within a replicable, scalable, and franchise-ready framework. This work involves developing multiple machine learning models, front end development, understanding sustainability and understanding some African context as it is based in Nigeria. We are seeking an excellent PhD student to undertake research on a combination of some of these areas; previous experience will be pivotal. The student will work closely with colleagues that already have some understanding of the project.

Supervisors

Supervisors: Professor Hafiz Alaka and Professor Amin Hosseinian Far

Person Specification

• Bachelors in a computing related course
• Masters in a computing related course
• Knowledge and experience of Big Data Analytics
• Knowledge and practical experience of machine learning methods (supervised and unsupervised, deep neural networks and other algorithms, e.g. support vector machine and BART machine; knowledge of generative algorithms is an added advantage)
• Experience in plug in and software development
• Knowledge/experience in data visualization
• Some knowledge of sustainability
• Interest in the management field
• Interest, knowledge or experience in Agritech solutions in Africa

Eligibility

Open to both UK and International applicants, including EU applicants.

How to apply

Applicants are required to provide the following documents:

• A completed application form, available for download at: https://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/31105/uh-application-form_2022.pdf
• A research proposal not exceeding two 2000 words
• Two academic references - to be sent directly from the referees to the Doctoral College: doctoralcollegeadmissions@herts.ac.uk.
• Copies of your degree qualification certificates and transcripts
• Certification of English language competence (minimum IELTS 6.5 or equivalent) for candidates for whom English is not their first language.
• A CV.
• A personal statement.
• A copy of passport photo page.

Please send completed applications to the Doctoral College at doctoralcollegeadmissions@herts.ac.uk.

You can also see the application information from the Doctoral College website: https://www.herts.ac.uk/research/research-degrees-and-doctoral-college

Interviews will take place in week commencing 5 March 2026.

For informal enquires please email: Doctoral College Admissions (doctoralcollegeadmissions@herts.ac.uk) or Professor Hafiz Alaka (h.alaka@herts.ac.uk).

Your completed application should be emailed to the Doctoral College Admissions team via the ‘Apply’ button above (E: doctoralcollegeadmissions@herts.ac.uk) by 24th February 2026 at 9pm.

Funding information

Full tuition fee waiver for three years and a stipend each year at £20,780.

Applicants who need a student visa will be required to pay for this themselves along with the Immigration Health Surcharge. For more information, please visit our website.

The Studentship is open to Home UK/EU and international applicants.

Key dates

Closing date for applications: 24th February 2026 at 9pm

Interview dates: week commencing 5 March 2026.

Studentship start date: as soon as possible.