[100% fees covered and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate). Additional project costs provided.]

This fully funded PhD studentship at Newcastle University focuses on developing a strategic planning framework for the integration of AI data centres into evolving energy networks. Data centres are increasingly central to digital economies, with their energy demands rising sharply due to the expansion of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digitalisation. This growth presents significant challenges and opportunities for achieving net-zero carbon targets, as data centres are among the most energy-intensive infrastructures.

The project aims to move beyond the traditional view of data centres as passive electricity consumers, exploring their potential as active participants in integrated energy systems. This includes providing flexibility to the grid, utilising waste heat, and supporting local renewable energy production. Currently, there is no holistic framework for planning the integration of AI data centres into future energy networks, and this research seeks to fill that gap by optimising the interactions between data centres and multi-vector energy networks.

The studentship is sponsored by EPSRC and offers 100% coverage of tuition fees, a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate), and additional project costs. The award duration is four years, starting on 1st October 2026. The project is supervised by Dr Shahab Dehghan and Prof Vladimir Terzija, both experts in power and energy systems.

Applicants should hold at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as Power and Energy, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Operations Research. Prior experience, enthusiasm for research, and independent thinking are highly valued. Essential requirements include excellent analytical skills and strong communication abilities. Desirable skills include proficiency in optimising and modelling power and energy systems, as well as programming skills in Python and Julia. International applicants must meet English language requirements (IELTS 6.5 overall, minimum 5.5 in all sub-skills) and may require an ATAS clearance certificate.

To apply, candidates must complete a specific personal statement document and upload it with their application via the Newcastle University Apply Portal. Applicants should select 'Electrical and Electronic Engineering (full time)' as the programme of study and use the studentship code DLA2618. Further details and the application link are provided in the advert. For questions, contact Dr Shahab Dehghan or the doctoral awards team at Newcastle University.