Data/AI-driven service design innovation

Full Description

The University of Exeter has a number of fully funded EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) Doctoral Landscape Award (EPSRC DLA) studentships for 2026/27 entry.

Students will be given sector-leading training and development with outstanding facilities and resources.

The EPSRC studentships will be offered across the whole of EPSRC’s remit, with projects at the interface of disciplines and collaborations with users where appropriate.

Studentships will be awarded to outstanding applicants, the distribution will be overseen by the University’s EPSRC Strategy Group in partnership with the Doctoral College.

The University of Exeter stimulates, supports and sustains a vibrant research and intellectual environment, across and between disciplines for postgraduate and early career researchers.

We have invested over £350 million in Science and Engineering since 2008 and we are one of the fastest growing and fastest rising research intensive universities in the UK.

We were ranked 23 out of 134 universities in the national Research Excellence Framework (REF) and 99% of our research is rated as being of international quality, with 89% internationally excellent and 47% world-leading in for REF 2021 - Research Excellence Framework. For more information about our research results and case studies please visit the following link https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/ref2021/

Projects Available in Participating Departments

Becoming a part of Exeter’s postgraduate research (PGR) community means you will have access to leading research facilities and industry connections.

You’ll play a pivotal role in the University’s Science Strategy and have an instrumental part in research projects that have a significant impact on both your chosen field of study and wider society.

We combine leading academic staff with state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure to provide the perfect environment for research excellence and innovation.

Our progressive research culture is underpinned by our continued investment, helping to create an energetic and vibrant academic community for our students and staff.

To find out more about the Department of Engineering please click on the following link https://engineering.exeter.ac.uk/

You are invited to apply for any of the projects listed below.

Note, you will need to submit an application for each project you wish to be considered, up to a maximum of three projects.

If you submit more than one application please indicate in your personal statement your preferred project.

• Maximising Regional Benefit in Eco-Industrialisation: Pathways for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth

• AI for Climate Misinformation: Detecting, Understanding, and Countering Digital Narratives

• Food or Energy? Acceptance, Adoption and Transition to Agrivoltaics for the UK

• Data/AI-driven service design innovation

• Data-driven decision making for multi-modal transportation systems

For further details about the EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award at Exeter, please see the following webpage https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/pg-research/funding/phdfunding/epsrc-dla-studentships/

Eligibility

To be eligible for a fully-funded studentship, you must meet both the academic (see entry requirements) and residence criteria

Important: Residency requirements are complex and too detailed to capture in full below.

Please read the below alongside the guidance provide on the GOV.

UK website and UKCISA website to ensure you meet the criteria.

For full details of residence requirements for these studentship please read the Funding eligibility for 2025/26 entry on the following webpage https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/pg-research/funding/phdfunding/epsrc-dla-studentships/important_information_epsrcdla/

Studentship Funding Information

For successful eligible applicants, the studentship comprises:

• An index-linked stipend for up to 3.5 years full-time (currently £20,780 per annum for 2026/27 rate), pro-rata for part-time students

• Payment of University tuition fees (Home)

• Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £5,000 over 3.5 years, or pro-rata for part-time students

Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity

The University of Exeter is committed to promoting and supporting equality, diversity, and inclusion within our working environments and is at the heart of all our activities.

With over 27,000 students and 6,400 staff from 180 different countries, we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength.

We actively encourage applicants with varied experiences and backgrounds and from all sections of the community regardless of age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, religion, or disability status.

We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our postgraduate research student community.

Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workspaces.

For further information regarding this studentship and to apply, please visit the following website: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=5740