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

PhD Studentship: Teaching Intelligent Agents to See, Think and Act with Vision and Language

Newcastle University is offering a fully funded PhD studentship focused on advancing intelligent systems through vision-language-action (VLA) models. This research aims to overcome the limitations of traditional robots that rely on fixed rules and structured commands, enabling the development of adaptable agents capable of perceiving, reasoning, and acting in dynamic environments. The project will integrate computer vision (for perception), natural language understanding (for interpreting instructions), and action generation (for flexible response), with models trained on simulated datasets and fine-tuned for specific tasks. The ultimate goal is to create intelligent agents that demonstrate human-like understanding and adaptability in real-world scenarios.

The studentship covers 100% of tuition fees and provides a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate), along with additional project costs. The position is sponsored by EPSRC and will be supervised by Dr Shidong Wang and Professor Nick Wright. The successful candidate will join a vibrant research environment at Newcastle University, collaborating with leading experts in artificial intelligence, robotics, and cognitive science.

Eligibility is based on a contextual admissions process, considering key competencies and experience alongside academic qualifications. Applicants should hold at least a 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant subject. Prior research or work experience, enthusiasm for the topic, and the ability to think and work independently are highly valued. Excellent analytical skills and strong communication abilities are essential. A Masters qualification is not mandatory if the candidate meets the degree requirement or can demonstrate equivalent experience. Non-native English speakers must provide an IELTS score of 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all sub-skills). International applicants may require ATAS clearance for visa purposes.

The studentship will commence on 1st October 2026 and is offered for a duration of four years. Interested candidates should review the full details and apply via the Newcastle University Postgraduate Funding Search portal. For project-specific queries, contact Dr Shidong Wang at [email protected]. For independent advice, email [email protected]. The application deadline is 18th February 2026.

For more information and to apply, visit: Newcastle University Funding Search.