Fully Funded PhD Studentship: Embodying Intelligence in Robotic Materials
Fully FundedBirmingham, United Kingdomphd· £21,805 per year (UKRI rate for 2026/27)
Project Overview
This project explores how to embed intelligence directly into the 'body' of robotic materials, sitting at the intersection of mechanical metamaterials, robotics, active matter physics, and embodied AI.
Basic Information - Full Project Title: Embodying Intelligence in Robotic Materials - Host Institution: University of Birmingham - Department: School of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) - Supervisor: Dr Jack Binysh - Study Level: PhD - Duration: 42 months - Start Date: Autumn 2026 or January 2027 - Funding Type: Fully Funded (Home UK students) - Stipend:
- Eligibility: UK Home students (strong international applicants encouraged to contact supervisor)
- Application Deadline: 6 November 2026
- IELTS Requirement: 6.0 (no component below 5.5)
- Contact: j.binysh@bham.ac.uk
Project Description
This project explores how to embed intelligence directly into the "body" of robotic materials, rather than relying solely on a central processor. The research sits at the intersection of mechanical metamaterials, robotics, active matter physics, and embodied AI. You will investigate self-learning active mechanical networks through a combination of tabletop experiments and theoretical modelling. Specific research will focus on developing decentralised learning techniques, capturing the non-linear dynamics of networks, exploring the relationship between network structure and function, and designing and executing tabletop robotic experiments.
Requirements
- Excellent undergraduate/Master's degree in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field
- Fluency in spoken and written English
How to Apply
Submit your application via the Mechanical Engineering PhD portal, specifying the project title and supervisor (Jack Binysh).
