Shiqiang Wang

The University of Exeter's Department of Computer Science is offering a fully funded PhD studentship in the field of LLM-Based Agentic AI: Foundations, Systems & Applications. This opportunity focuses on the development and improvement of large language model (LLM)-based agents, aiming to make them more reliable, efficient, and collaborative in real-world environments. Research themes include the foundations of LLM-based agents, multi-agent collaboration, distributed infrastructure, and practical applications of agentic AI. The lead supervisor is Professor Shiqiang Wang, with additional supervision from Dr. George De Ath and Dr. Jawad Fayaz. Applicants should have a strong background in computer science or a related field, proficiency in programming and modern machine learning tools, and excellent communication skills. Experience with LLMs and prior industry or open-source contributions are advantageous. The studentship covers international tuition fees and provides a generous annual stipend. Both UK and international students are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is November 30, 2025. For more information, visit the supervisor's academic page or the university's website.

[UK and International tuition fees covered plus annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 per year.] This PhD studentship at the University of Exeter focuses on the foundations, systems, and applications of LLM-based agentic AI. Large language models (LLMs) are revolutionizing how agents can read, write, call tools, and follow instructions, enabling multi-step planning and action in diverse domains. The project aims to address the challenge of making LLM-based agents reliable, efficient, and collaborative in real-world environments, ensuring correct tool use, predictable cost and speed, and robust performance across heterogeneous infrastructures and devices. Research themes include the foundations of LLM-based agents, enabling technologies for agents, multi-agent collaboration and coordination, agentic systems and distributed infrastructure, and practical applications of agentic AI. Students will benefit from an inclusive research environment that bridges theory and system building, with opportunities to publish at top AI/ML venues and validate ideas on real platforms. Mentorship will be provided by Prof. Shiqiang Wang, who brings nearly a decade of industry experience from the United States, and secondary supervisors Dr. George De Ath and Dr. Jawad Fayaz, experts in air traffic control, environmental intelligence, machine learning, uncertainty quantification, and Bayesian modelling. The programme offers access to advanced computing resources and opportunities to collaborate with academic and industry partners. Applicants should have a background in computer science or a related field, strong motivation for impactful AI research, excellent English communication skills, proficiency in programming and modern ML tools, and ideally experience with LLMs. The studentship covers UK and international tuition fees and provides a tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 per year. Both UK and international candidates are encouraged to apply, with selection based on merit. The application deadline is November 30, 2025.

This fully funded PhD position at the University of Exeter focuses on the foundations, systems, and applications of agentic AI powered by large language models (LLMs). LLMs are transforming the way agents interact with the world, enabling multi-step planning and action across diverse domains. The project aims to address key challenges in making LLM-based agents reliable, efficient, and collaborative in real-world environments, with an emphasis on correct tool use, predictable performance, and robust operation across heterogeneous infrastructures. Research themes include theoretical modelling, algorithm design and analysis, retrieval-augmented generation for up-to-date knowledge, efficient fine tuning, closed-loop improvement from user feedback, multi-agent collaboration, distributed infrastructure, and real-world applications such as air traffic control and environmental intelligence. The programme offers an inclusive research environment bridging theory and systems, mentorship from Prof. Shiqiang Wang (with extensive academic and industry experience), and secondary supervisors Dr. George De Ath and Dr. Jawad Fayaz, who bring expertise in air traffic control, environmental intelligence, machine learning, and Bayesian modelling. Students will have opportunities to publish at top AI/ML venues, collaborate with academic and industry partners, and access advanced computing resources. The studentship covers UK and international tuition fees and provides a tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 per year. Applicants should have a background in computer science or a related field, strong motivation for impactful AI research, excellent English communication skills, proficiency in programming and modern ML tools, and ideally experience with LLMs. Both UK and international candidates are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is November 30, 2025. For more information and to apply, visit the University of Exeter funding page.