Multiple PhD opportunities are currently available to work in VOILAb in the fields of aerodynamics and robotics to contribute to the development of a swarm of dandelion-inspired sensing and communication robots carried and distributed by the wind for environmental monitoring, disaster response, agrisecurity, water-resource management, nowcasting, surveillance, and security. We aim to recruit at least one PhD student with a strong interest in theoretical, computational or experimental aerodynamics, and a student with a strong interest in robotics, sensing and communication. There are multiple funding streams, including the following: 

1. A position fully funded by the ERC grant Dandidrone that will be awarded to the best candidate in any field between aerodynamics and robotics that will start asap and before October 2025; apply now by sending the cover letter and the CV to Dr Jawahar Sivabharathy Samuthira Pandi, jsamuthi@ed.ac.uk.
2. A position funded by the UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Dependable and Deployable AI for Robotics (CDT-D2AIR) that will be awarded to the best home or international applicant with a strong interest in robotics for a start in autumn 2025; submit an informal enquiry now by sending the cover letter and the CV to Dr Jawahar Sivabharathy Samuthira Pandi, jsamuthi@ed.ac.uk; while for formal applications, visit https://www.edinburgh-robotics.org/apply
3. A position funded by the EPSRC and MoD Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensing, Processing, and AI for Defence and Security (SPADS) that will be awarded to the best home or international applicant that does not require an ATAS (check at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-out-if-you-require-an-atas-certificate) with a strong interest in sensing and communication; submit an informal enquiry now by sending the cover letter and the CV to Dr Jawahar Sivabharathy Samuthira Pandi, jsamuthi@ed.ac.uk; while for formal applications, visit https://spads.ac.uk/how-apply
4. Self-funded students (e.g. with their own scholarhsip) are always welcome; submit an informal enquiry now by sending the cover letter and the CV to Dr Jawahar Sivabharathy Samuthira Pandi, jsamuthi@ed.ac.uk; while for formal applications visit https://edin.ac/2v7HvCK.

The position will remain open until one or more successful applicants are identified. For informal enquiries, please email Dr Jawahar Sivabharathy Samuthira Pandi, jsamuthi@ed.ac.uk. We aim to reply to all informal enquiries within 10 working days. 

Please inform Prof. Viola (i.m.viola@ed.ac.uk) once applied so that he can follow up on the application. 

Who should apply for a PhD in VOILAb

Previous successful applicants have a very diverse background, including engineering, mathematics, physics, biology, etc. Our research group is very diverse in gender, race, nationality, career ambition, etc. We strongly value the diversity in our group, and thus, applicants from groups typically underrepresented in academia are strongly encouraged to apply. Find here the minimum entry requirements by country.

Being fluent in both spoken and written English is essential. We accept the following English language qualifications at the minimum grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component
• TOEFL-iBT: total 92 with at least 20 in each section
• PTE Academic: total 61 with at least 56 in each of the Communicative Skills scores
• CAE and CPE: total 176 with at least 169 in each paper
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components

The English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the PhD, unless using IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.