This fully funded PhD opportunity at the University of Southampton focuses on developing resource-efficient, lifelong on-device learning systems for robots, where continual learning meets sustainability. The project aims to address the stability-plasticity dilemma in robot learning, enabling robots to learn multiple tasks efficiently while retaining prior knowledge and reducing catastrophic forgetting. The research will target deployment on resource-constrained, non-networked robotic platforms, contributing to sustainability by optimizing operational efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. Applicants should be passionate about robotics, continual learning, and AI at the edge. The position is open to UK, EU, and Horizon Europe Associated Country applicants, with funding covering tuition and a stipend (minimum £19,237 in 2024-25). The lead supervisor is Dr Muhammad Burhan Hafez, Lecturer at the University of Southampton, whose research interests include reinforcement learning, continual robot learning, and LLMs for robot learning and planning. Entry requirements include a UK 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent and IELTS 6.5 for non-native English speakers. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until 31 August 2025. To apply, send your CV, transcripts, references, and a cover letter outlining your research vision and interest to [email protected]. For more details, visit the project webpage.

A fully funded PhD position is available at the University of Southampton in the area of sustainable robot learning, focusing on resource-efficient, lifelong on-device learning systems for robots. The project aims to address the stability-plasticity dilemma in continual robot learning, enabling robots to efficiently learn multiple tasks over their operational lifetime while retaining prior knowledge. The research will develop new methods for continual learning that optimize resource usage, targeting deployment on resource-constrained, non-networked robotic platforms and contributing to sustainability by reducing carbon emissions. The ideal candidate will be passionate about robotics, continual learning, AI at the edge, and sustainability. Applicants must have a UK 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent, and non-native English speakers require IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. Funding is fully covered for UK, EU, and Horizon Europe Associated Countries, including tuition and a stipend (minimum £19,237 for 2024-25). Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until 31 August 2025. To apply, send a pre-application (CV, transcripts, references, and a cover letter outlining your research vision and interest) to Dr Muhammad Burhan Hafez at [email protected]. For more details, visit the project page or contact the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences.

A fully funded PhD position is available at the University of Southampton in the area of sustainable robot learning, focusing on resource-efficient, lifelong on-device learning systems for robots. The project aims to address the stability-plasticity dilemma in continual robot learning, enabling robots to efficiently learn multiple tasks over their operational lifetime while retaining prior knowledge. The research will develop new methods for continual learning on resource-constrained, non-networked robotic platforms, contributing to sustainability by reducing carbon emissions through optimized operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will be passionate about robotics, AI, machine learning, and sustainability, and will work under the supervision of Dr Muhammad Burhan Hafez, whose expertise includes reinforcement learning and continual robot learning. Applicants must have a UK 2:1 honours degree or equivalent, and non-native English speakers require an IELTS score of 6.5. The position is fully funded for UK, EU, and Horizon Europe Associated Countries, with fee waivers and a minimum stipend of £19,237 for 2024-25. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until 31 August 2025. To apply, candidates should send a pre-application (CV, transcripts, references, and cover letter) to Dr Hafez and submit a formal application via the university portal, selecting the relevant PhD in Computer Science and naming the supervisor. For more details, visit the project webpage or contact the doctoral college.

This fully funded PhD opportunity at the University of Southampton focuses on developing resource-efficient, lifelong on-device learning systems for robots, integrating continual learning with sustainability. The project aims to address the stability-plasticity dilemma in robot learning, enabling robots to efficiently learn multiple tasks over their operational lifetime while retaining prior knowledge. The research will target deployment on resource-constrained, non-networked robotic platforms, contributing to sustainability by reducing carbon emissions through optimized operational efficiency. Applicants should be passionate about robotics, continual learning, and AI at the edge. Funding is available for UK, EU, and Horizon Europe Associated Countries, covering tuition and a stipend. The application requires a CV, transcripts, references, and a cover letter outlining research vision and interest. The deadline is August 31, 2025, but applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The lead supervisor is Dr Muhammad Burhan Hafez, Lecturer at the University of Southampton, with research interests in reinforcement learning, continual robot learning, and LLMs for robot learning and planning. For more details and to apply, visit the project webpage or contact Dr Hafez directly.