This is a full-time PhD opportunity sponsored by Cranfield University under the UK’s EPSRC Future Telecommunications Hubs (FTH) ecosystem, which provides training and research as part of a larger ecosystem. The financial offering includes UK home fees, a bursary, and the focus area is in distributed AI over radio access networks.
This is a project focused on how AI will provide a seamless service to mobile users of tomorrow. It is expected the student will have a background in AI with a curiosity on wireless networking.
Machine learning that occurs over a distributed network is attractive to reduce latency, ensure data and compute is sovereignly hosted, and utilise available edge computation resources. There are many challenges when the demand is spatially and temporally mobile, and when the inference is computationally heavy. This PhD studentship will advance the research in AI on Radio Access Networks (AI-on-RAN) by exploring how to optimise distributed and mobile inference of large language models by adapting how tokens, memory, and network bandwidth is used in real time.
Cranfield University is a post-graduate only university focused on critical technologies such as aerospace, defence, AI, robotics, and telecoms. It is situated just north of London between Milton Keynes and Bedford. There is a proposed merger with King’s College London in 2027.
The outcomes are expected to shape how future AI algorithms are designed, as well as how future computation and communication resources are invested in 6G telecommunication networks.
There is both university-based and wider FTH ecosystem training with other PhD students from other universities across UK. The experience gained is not only cross-disciplinary (AI and telecoms), but also there will be exposure to different stakeholders beyond these including defence, government, and infrastructure.
At a glance
- Application deadline: 03 Feb 2027
- Award type(s): PhD
- Start date: 07 Jun 2027
- Duration of award: 3 year (full-time)
- Eligibility: UK
- Reference number: CRAN-0118
Supervisor
1st Supervisor: Prof. Weisi Guo
2nd Supervisor: Dr. Mengbang Zou
Entry requirements
Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline of computer science, statistics, or electronic / information engineering. This project would suit students with a fundamental curiosity to how foundation models work at the algorithmic level.
We will take an inclusive approach during your recruitment process and consider students from underrepresented groups and different social economic groups.
Funding
Sponsored as part of the EPSRC Future Telecommunications Hubs (FTH) initiative and Cranfield University, this studentship will provide a bursary of up to £21,805 (tax free) plus fees* for three years.
Sponsored by Cranfield University.
To be eligible for this funding, applicants must be classified as a Home fee status student. Eligibility for Home fee status is determined with reference to UK Department for Education rules. As a guiding principle UK or Irish nationals who are ordinarily resident in either the UK or Republic of Ireland pay Home tuition fees. All other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees. Further advice can be found on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.
Sharing data
UKRI would like to have a better understanding of the students its training provision attracts and supports. Diversity information on all applicants/recruits applying for UKRI funded studentships will be shared with UKRI. The data will be aggregated and will not be shared as individual data or used to report on individuals or specific universities. The data will be used to analyse general trends in student populations across UKRI's portfolio.
Diversity and Inclusion at Cranfield
At Cranfield, we value our diverse staff and student community and maintain a culture where everyone can work and study together harmoniously with dignity and respect. This is reflected in our University values of ambition, impact, respect and community. We welcome students and staff from all backgrounds from over 100 countries and support our staff and students to realise their full potential, from academic achievement to mental and physical wellbeing.
We are committed to progressing the diversity and inclusion agenda, for example; gender diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through our Athena SWAN Bronze award and action plan, we are members of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) and Working Families, and sponsors of International Women in Engineering Day. We are also Disability Confident Level 1 Employers and members of the Business Disability Forum.
Our Student Wellbeing and Disability support team provide a range of support and coordinate reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, specific learning differences and mental and physical health conditions. Please contact studentsupport@cranfield.ac.uk for support queries, the information you provide will be confidential.
Cranfield Doctoral Network
Research students at Cranfield benefit from being part of a dynamic, focused and professional study environment and all become valued members of the Cranfield Doctoral Network. This Network brings together both research students and staff, providing a platform for our researchers to share ideas, identify opportunities for collaboration and create smaller communities of practice. It aims to encourage an effective and vibrant research culture, founded upon the diversity of activities and knowledge.
Doctoral Researchers’ Core Development (DRCD) Programme
An important part of the research journey is developing key skills that will benefit a research students research and professional development. As a research student at Cranfield, you will be expected to attend the DRCD programme which comprises of four 1 week units which cover the key stages of your research journey. Workshops are held face to face, providing the opportunity for you to network and collaborate with your peers during these valuable development sessions. For further details visit Cranfield's Doctoral Network.
How to apply
For further information please contact:
Name: Prof. Weisi Guo
Email: weisi.guo@cranfield.ac.uk
Phone: +44 1234 75 8304
If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the online application form.
This vacancy may be filled before the closing date so early application is strongly encouraged.
Note, your application will not be considered unless all relevant documents have been uploaded. For more information please visit Applying for a research degree.
