PhD Studentship: From Spectra to Marine Litter: Multispectral Imaging and AI for Aerial Detection and Monitoring University of East Anglia in United Kingdom

[Fully funded studentship with fees covered, maintenance stipend of £21,805 p.a. for 2026/27, and a research training and support grant (RTSG). Limited support is available for international applicants via home/international fee waiver; relocation and living costs such as visa and health surcharge are not covered.]

PhD Studentship at the University of East Anglia on From Spectra to Marine Litter: Multispectral Imaging and AI for Aerial Detection and Monitoring.

This project addresses the urgent challenge of detecting, classifying, and quantifying marine litter at scale. Marine litter affects ocean health, coastal ecosystems, and livelihoods, and the research aims to improve monitoring methods that can support evidence for plastic pollution action in the United Kingdom, Europe, and beyond.

The project is based in the Colour & Imaging Laboratory in the School of Computing Sciences and involves close collaboration with scientists and engineers at CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science). The research will build on an existing visible-light deep learning classifier and extend it using multispectral and hyperspectral imaging to improve discrimination between litter material types.

Research will combine labelled visible-light images with spectral measurements collected using laboratory imaging systems spanning approximately 380 to 1650 nanometres. The PhD will involve characterising representative litter materials, curating imaging datasets, and developing machine-learning models for material detection and classification. You will also investigate robustness under changing daylight illumination and across different sensors, using approaches such as device-independent representations, transfer learning, and domain adaptation.

The project includes training in imaging principles, laboratory measurement, computer vision, deep learning, geospatial analysis, and experimental design. There may also be opportunities for fieldwork, including drone-flying, and the work is expected to build expertise in spectral imaging, artificial intelligence, environmental monitoring, data analysis, and interdisciplinary research.

Applicants should have a scientific, quantitative, or computational background and a genuine interest in environmental challenges. Backgrounds in computer science, mathematics, physics, engineering, environmental science, or biological science are particularly welcome. Strong curiosity, analytical thinking, and willingness to learn are key qualities; prior expertise in every area is not required.

Funding is available through ARIES/UKRI terms and conditions. Successful candidates who meet UKRI eligibility criteria will receive a fully funded studentship covering fees, a maintenance stipend of £21,805 p.a. for 2026/27, and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of places are available for international applicants, with the difference between home and international fees waived by the registering university. Note that relocation and living costs in the UK, such as visa costs and the health surcharge, are not covered.

Application deadline: 16 December 2026. Apply via the University of East Anglia postgraduate research application portal.