Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Robotics and Control

Project Overview

Opportunity	Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Robotics and Control at Lancaster University
Host	Lancaster University
Location	Lancaster, United Kingdom
Study Level	PhD
Funding	Fully Funded, stipend provided, tuition covered
Stipend	UKRI minimum stipend (approx £21,805 (2026/27 UKRI minimum) per year) plus Home tuition fees.
Application Deadline	1 December 2026
Apply	Official application page ↗

About the Position

Lancaster University’s School of Engineering, in partnership with United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL), invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship. The project will develop novel data-driven, robust, and adaptive control methods for human–robot interaction and teleoperation, with direct applications in nuclear robotics, hazardous environment manipulation, and beyond.

Project Details

Teleoperation is a critical enabler for safe and efficient operation in hazardous environments such as nuclear decommissioning. Current industrial solutions suffer from limitations under uncertainty, time delays, and noisy sensing. This PhD will design and experimentally validate a hybrid motion–force control framework that ensures precise end-effector positioning while maintaining robust and adaptive force regulation. Research includes development of nonlinear robust adaptive controllers and disturbance observers, design of bilateral teleoperation schemes, integration of data-driven approaches for force estimation, and experimental validation on industrial robotic platforms at the UKNNL Hot Robotics Facility.

Supervisory Team

Dr Allahyar Montazeri (Lead Supervisor, School of Engineering)
Professor Plamen Angelov (Co-Supervisor, School of Computing and Communications)

Training and Development

Hands-on training with ROS2, MATLAB/Simulink, and CoppeliaSim.
Access to robotics laboratories and facilities.
Opportunities to engage with national and international conferences.
Insight into the nuclear sector through industrial collaboration with UKNNL.

Funding

Duration: 4 years (3.5 years EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award + 0.5 years UKNNL extension).
Coverage: UKRI minimum stipend, tuition fees for Home students, and a research training support grant.
Additional support for consumables, maintenance, and travel.

Eligibility and Requirements

Open to UK Home students only, due to clearance requirements for UKNNL facilities.
Applicants should have (or expect to obtain) a First or Upper Second-Class degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Control, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
Strong mathematical and programming skills (MATLAB, Python, or C++) are highly desirable.

Application Process

Applicants should submit:

A full CV.
A one-page cover letter outlining motivation and suitability.
Reference letter from two academics commenting on candidate abilities.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with an expected start date of January 2025.

Closing Date

1st December 2026.

Contact

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Allahyar Montazeri.

Official Link

https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/scc/study/phd/phd-opportunities/

Important Notes

Application deadline: 1 December 2026 - late or incomplete applications are normally not considered.
Listing details were recorded from the official source at the time of publication; always confirm the latest requirements on the official page before applying.
Prepare the documents listed in the eligibility and application sections before starting the online form - transcripts, CV and references take the longest to collect.

About Lancaster University

Lancaster University is a public research university in northwest England. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes across science, technology, business, humanities and social sciences. Its research includes computing, communications, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, while its collegiate community supports interdisciplinary work and partnerships with industry, public organisations and international institutions.

Official website: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/

How to Apply

Submit your application through the official portal before the deadline: 1 December 2026. Read the eligibility requirements carefully and prepare all requested documents — early applications are strongly recommended for competitive awards.

Open the official application page ↗

Application guides

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Frequently asked questions

Drawn from this listing's own record. Always confirm the details on the official source before applying.

What is the deadline for Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Robotics and Control at Lancaster University?

The application deadline is 1 December 2026. Applications received after that date are not considered, so treat it as a hard cut-off (Europe/London time) and leave time for references and transcripts. Closing time not specified — confirm with the provider before you leave it until the last day: the source names Europe/London but gives no clock time.

Is Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Robotics and Control at Lancaster University fully funded?

This is a fully funded award: tuition is covered and a living stipend is provided for the duration of the programme. £21,805/year.

Who is eligible to apply for Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Robotics and Control at Lancaster University?

This listing is open to UK applicants only. If you are applying from outside the UK, this one will not accept your application — filter United Kingdom listings by residency before you spend time on it. Applications are assessed by Lancaster University.

How do I apply for Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Robotics and Control at Lancaster University?

Applications for Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Robotics and Control at Lancaster University are submitted directly to Lancaster University through the provider's own application portal — use the Apply button on this page to open it. NextApply does not process applications or charge a fee.

Is an English proficiency test required for Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Robotics and Control at Lancaster University?

Yes — an English-language certificate is required for this listing. Check the exact band expected on the official source, since it can differ by programme. Requirements for United Kingdom are published by the provider.

What study level does Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Robotics and Control at Lancaster University offer?

This listing is offered at PhD level. That describes the qualification on offer, not a credential you must already hold — check the provider's stated entry requirements before applying.

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Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Robotics and Control at Lancaster University