The Artificial Intelligence Group warmly invites applications from candidates interested in pursuing a graduate research degree.

Research degrees do not involve taught classes, but require the student to work on an original research project under the guidance of a member of academic staff. Applications can be made for PhDs, MPhils and MScs by research. These courses last 3, 2 and 1 year respectively. Part-time study is possible, in which case the periods of study are normally doubled.

Please see the Group's Research and the Interests of Group Members for ideas of suitable research topics.

If you are interested in doing a research degree, you should first identify and contact a potential supervisor for your work. They will then help you develop a suitable project and advise you on submitting an application. The following staff are available to supervise research projects in the areas listed. If you can't decide which supervisor would be suitable, please contact Alan Frisch who will forward your details to the most appropriate supervisor.

Mark Bartlett [Webpage, Email]
Constraint Optimisation particularly Integer Linear Programming, Bayesian Networks, Language Evolution, Worst-Case Execution Time Analysis, Environmental Economics
Peter Cowling [Webpage, Email]
Models and heuristic search algorithms for decision making in games and scheduling/routing/planning/optimisation, Operational Research/Management Science, Monte Carlo Tree Search, Hyperheuristics
James Cussens [Webpage, Email]
Machine learning, especially Statistical Relational Learning; Graphical Models, especially Bayesian Networks
Sam Devlin [Webpage, Email]
Game data mining and adaptive, learning agents
Alan Frisch [Webpage, Email]
Constraint programming and its application to the solution of hard combinatorial problems; Tools for automating and assisting the process of generating constraint-based models of problems; Constraint modelling languages.
Dimitar Kazakov [Webpage, Email]
Machine learning; natural language processing; machine learning of language, including unsupervised learning; language evolution modelling in multi-agent environments
Daniel Kudenko [Webpage, Email]
Machine learning; knowledge representation; bioinformatics; information filtering; multi-agent systems; artificial intelligence for games
Suresh Manandhar [Webpage, Email]
Natural language processing (NLP): statistical and inductive machine learning for NLP; question answering systems; information extraction; dialogue systems; knowledge representation for NLP; constraint languages and constraint formalisms
Tommy Yuan [Webpage, Email]
Argument, Dialogue, Persuasion, and Their Application in Human-Computer Dialogue, Agent Communication, Dependable Argument

A number of studentships are normally granted by the Department each year which cover tuition fees and living expenses. An additional source of funding for non-EU students is also available for students starting in October. The University also has a number of funding schemes including links to external sources of funding. These schemes include funding for UK, EU and overseas students.

Applications can be made at any time during the year, but applications should normally be made by the end of June if applying for funding from the University or Department.

General information about Research Degrees and the application procedure can be found on the Department's Research Degree webpage or by contacting the Department's Graduate Administrator.

Useful Links

Last updated on 22 June 2009