Publisher
source

Queen's University Belfast

Just Landed

SUSTAIN CDT

PhD in Optimising Sustainability in Livestock Systems with AI and Multi-Criteria Assessment Queen’s University Belfast in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Computer Science

Funding

Fully funded four-year PhD studentship. All PhD tuition fees are paid. Includes a tax-free UKRI stipend of £21,805 per year (2026/7 rate) for living costs, plus a TechExpert stipend enhancement of £10,000 per year for Home applicants, bringing the total annual stipend to £31,805 for Home applicants. Also includes a Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £3,000 per year (up to £12,000 total) for travel, training, and consumables, plus additional funding for outreach, dissemination, summer scho

Deadline

Oct 16, 2026

Country flag

Country

United Kingdom

University

Queen's University Belfast

Social connections

How do I apply for this?

Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.

Meet Kite AI

Apply for this position

Keywords

Computer Science
Data Science
Environmental Science
Agriculture
Biology
Mathematics
Statistical Analysis
Artificial Intelligence
Veterinary Science
Animal Nutrition
Sustainable Agriculture
Farming Systems
Statistics
Applied Mathematic
ML

Suggested scholarships

About this position

PhD opportunity at Queen’s University Belfast in optimising sustainability in livestock systems using artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and multi-criteria optimisation.

This funded project sits within the SUSTAIN doctoral training programme and focuses on developing a holistic assessment framework for agricultural and livestock systems. The research will examine how to balance multiple sustainability objectives at once, including environmental, economic, and social outcomes such as carbon footprint, ammonia emissions, welfare, and antimicrobial use.

The project description highlights work on Pareto-optimality, genetic algorithms, normalisation across sustainability dimensions, and a hybrid AI framework combining machine learning with computational argumentation to optimise and explain decisions. Stakeholder engagement is also part of the project, with an emphasis on real-world applicability for farmers, policymakers, and industry.

Funding is fully provided for four years. The package includes full PhD tuition fees, a tax-free UKRI stipend of £21,805 per year (2026/7 rate), a TechExpert enhancement of £10,000 per year for Home applicants, and a Research Training Support Grant of £3,000 per year for travel, training, and consumables. Additional support is available for outreach, dissemination, summer schools, research events, and development projects.

Eligibility includes an honours degree at minimum 2:1 in Statistics, Data Science, Animal Science, or Veterinary Science, with relevant quantitative experience such as programming, modelling, machine learning, or AI. A Master’s degree is advantageous, especially in AI, Machine Learning, Environmental Sciences, Biological Science, or Agricultural Science. The ideal candidate is self-driven, curious, interdisciplinary, and interested in public/policy engagement.

Supervisor/contact: Professor Ilias Kyriazakis (Queen’s University Belfast), [email protected].

Deadline: Friday, 16 October 2026 at 12:00 noon BST. The post states applications are open for the October 2027 cohort.

Funding details

Fully funded four-year PhD studentship. All PhD tuition fees are paid. Includes a tax-free UKRI stipend of £21,805 per year (2026/7 rate) for living costs, plus a TechExpert stipend enhancement of £10,000 per year for Home applicants, bringing the total annual stipend to £31,805 for Home applicants. Also includes a Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £3,000 per year (up to £12,000 total) for travel, training, and consumables, plus additional funding for outreach, dissemination, summer scho

What's required

Honours degree (minimum 2:1) in Statistics, Data Science, Animal Science, or Veterinary Science, with a qualitative focus that included programming, modelling, data science, machine learning, or AI. A Master’s degree is an advantage and a Master’s in AI, Machine Learning, Environmental Sciences, Biological or Agricultural Science or similar is highly desirable. Applicants should be self-driven, curious, interested in interdisciplinary work, eager to work in an interdisciplinary team, and willing to engage in departmental events, seminars, and public/policy engagement activities. A quantitative or technically focused dissertation/thesis is desirable.

How to apply

Submit an application for the October 2027 cohort through the SUSTAIN doctoral training programme. Review the project details and apply before the deadline; enquiries can be sent to Professor Ilias Kyriazakis by email.

More information can be found here

Ask ApplyKite AI

Start chatting
Can you summarize this position?
What qualifications are required for this position?
How should I prepare my application?