Queen's University Belfast
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EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Open SecuRe NeTworks (CDT-FORT)
Fully Funded PhD Studentships in Secure Networks, Cybersecurity, AI and Networking at Queen's University Belfast and University of Surrey Queen's University Belfast in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Fully funded 4-year PhD studentships with an enhanced tax-free stipend of about £30,000 per year for students eligible for home fee status, plus a training grant of up to £3,700 per year in years 2-4. EDI bursaries are available. The post also mentions internship opportunities with industry partners.
Deadline
Feb 26, 2027
Country
United Kingdom
University
Queen's University Belfast

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About this position
Exciting fully funded PhD studentships are available through the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Open SecuRe NeTworks (CDT-FORT), a collaboration between Queen's University Belfast and the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom.
This opportunity is aimed at home students only for the 2027 intake and offers 8 places in total: 5 at Queen's University Belfast and 3 at the University of Surrey. The programme focuses on secure networks, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, networking, secure hardware, and AI-assisted physical layer security.
The CDT structure includes a first year of taught MSc-level modules across both universities, followed by doctoral research. Students benefit from an enhanced fully funded 4-year scholarship, a tax-free stipend of around £30,000 per year for eligible home-fee students, and a training grant of up to £3,700 per year in years 2-4. Additional support includes EDI bursaries, leadership training, innovation activities, public engagement, hackathons, and internship opportunities with industry partners such as Interdigital, Codasip, and BT.
Applicants should be eligible for home fee status and interested in one of the four research themes: Space/Terrestrial Communications and Security, Trustworthy AI for Secure Future Open Networks, Secure and Trustworthy Hardware, or AI-assisted Physical Layer Security.
The application deadline is 26 February 2027. Interested candidates should apply directly through the university of their choice using the official application route provided in the posting.
Funding details
Fully funded 4-year PhD studentships with an enhanced tax-free stipend of about £30,000 per year for students eligible for home fee status, plus a training grant of up to £3,700 per year in years 2-4. EDI bursaries are available. The post also mentions internship opportunities with industry partners.
What's required
Applications are open to home students only for the 2027 intake and students must be eligible for home fee status. The opportunity is for a PhD studentship with an initial taught MSc-level year, followed by doctoral research in one of the listed themes. Applicants should be interested in cybersecurity, AI, networking, secure hardware, or physical layer security.
How to apply
Apply by 26 February 2027 through the University of your choice. Use the official application route on the programme website and submit to either Queen's University Belfast or the University of Surrey.
More information can be found here
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