PhD Programme in Wearable Robotics for Mobility and Independence

[Tax exempt stipend of £20,780 per annum for the 25/26 academic year; Standard EPSRC RTSG of £4900 over 3.5 years.] This funded full-time PhD opportunity at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) is part of the VIVO Hub for Enhanced Independent Living, a £14 million UKRI/EPSRC-supported programme. The project aims to develop, integrate, and validate wearable robotic technologies that enhance mobility and independence for older adults and people with disabilities. The research will focus on real-world performance, user acceptance, and the use of deployment data to inform personalised support strategies. As a PhD student, you will collaborate with engineers, clinicians, and end users to co-design human-in-the-loop studies using wearable technologies. You will test prototypes in laboratory, smart home, and real-life settings, and analyse biomechanical, physiological, and user feedback using machine learning and control engineering methods. The Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL), the UK’s largest academic centre for robotics research, will host the project, providing access to world-class facilities for robotic design, human–robot interaction, wearable sensing, and clinical trials. Supervision will be provided by Professors Marcela Munera and Carlos A. Cifuentes (UWE Bristol / BRL), with collaboration across VIVO partners at the Universities of Bristol, Strathclyde, Imperial College London, and University College London. The studentship is available for 3.5 years, starting 01 October 2026, and includes a tax exempt stipend (£20,780 per annum for the 25/26 academic year) and a Standard EPSRC RTSG (£4900 over 3.5 years). Eligibility requires a master’s degree in Robotics, Biomedical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related fields, though exceptional candidates with a first-class undergraduate degree may also be considered. Required skills include programming (ROS, Python, C++), experience with wearable sensing or assistive robotics, control systems, real-time monitoring, gait analysis, and scientific writing. Desirable skills are soft robotics, motion capture, biomechanical modelling, user-centred design, applied healthcare research, and machine learning for time-series or physiological data. International applicants must meet UWE’s English language requirement (Profile E). To apply, submit your application online, including a cover letter, research proposal (max 2 pages), academic transcripts, degree certificates, proof of English language proficiency (if applicable), and details of two referees. The application deadline is 15 March 2026. Interviews are expected in April, and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by the end of May.