Open PhD projects for 2026 Entry

The projects listed on this page are representative of currently available PhD opportunities and are subject to change. As more projects become available these will be added below.

Projects are grouped by SPADS CDT research themes.

Some projects are listed under more than one theme. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the programme, some projects will cover more than one research theme.

Distributed Information Fusion

Fusion of multiple sources of evidence using Bayesian chain event graphs (DSTL)

Neuromorphic computing for 3D imaging with single-photon Lidars

Adaptable AI in the Wild for Defence and Security 

Long-Range Ambient Backscatter Communications and Sensing for Secure, Ultra Low-Power Systems 

Predictive Motion Control and Testing Framework for Mobile Satellite Terminals Using IMU-Based Trajectory Intelligence 

Robust algorithms for image compression and decompression and their trade-offs 

Detection and tracking of high-speed objects in cluttered environments using event cameras 

Adaptive Low-Dimensional Monte Carlo Methods for High-Dimensional Multi-Target Tracking 

Image processing techniques for underwater single photon imaging (Thales) 

Robust object tracking in cluttered underwater environments (DSTL) 

Secure and spoofing/jamming resilient PNT receivers 

Bayesian transfer learning for underwater signals 

Robust Few-Shot Learning for Underwater Acoustic Signal Classification (QinetiQ) 

Bayesian Machine Learning on Strategically Manipulated Data 

Fast multi-dimensional array processing (Thales)

High-Performance Kernel Learning Processors for 6G Sensing: From Algorithmic Models to ASICs 

Fast, explainable and modular generative AI models for computational imaging by unfolding and distillation of Langevin sampling algorithms 

Resilient PNT as a Service using multi-orbit satellite signals of opportunity 

Fast intelligent control with application to quantum sensing 

Reconfigurable DNA-based bioelectronics (DSTL)