Northeastern University London Fully Funded PhD Scholarship in Computer Science Hardware-Software Co-Design for Efficient AI in IoT and Networked Systems

About the Opportunity

Northeastern University London Fully Funded PhD Scholarship in Computer Science

Hardware-Software Co-Design for Efficient AI in IoT and Networked Systems

Northeastern University London > Computing Mathematics Engineering & Natural Sciences

Deadline: 01/04/2026

Funded PhD Project (UK or International Students)

Funding provider: Northeastern University London (NU London)

Subject areas: Computer science electronics

Project start date: October 2026

Supervisors (*lead):

• Bipin Rajendran (Northeastern University London)
• Christos Efstratiou (University of Kent)

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Computer Science

Mode of study: Full-time

Northeastern University London

As part of a major investment Northeastern University London (NU London) has multiple fully-funded PhD studentships available to accelerate its interdisciplinary research in the humanities social sciences and digital sciences. Each scholarship is fully-funded for three and a half years (UKRI rates) and includes fees an annual stipend an additional London allowance and associated costs such as training.

NU London is both a UK university governed by UK higher education regulations and the European campus of Northeastern University a large top-tier research intensive Boston-based institution. Founded in 1898 Northeastern received $230.7m of external research funding in 2022 and is the recognized leader in experience-driven lifelong learning. It has campuses across the United States and Canada (in Boston; Charlotte North Carolina; Portland Maine; Oakland California; San Francisco; Seattle; Silicon Valley; Arlington Virginia; the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Toronto and Vancouver). Whilst the PhD will be a UK qualification students will have the opportunity to engage with and visit the Northeastern University network overseas as part of their London-based doctoral studies providing a truly unique and highly sought-after dimension to their research training.

The Project

The project aims to develop scalable and energy-efficient AI accelerators for resource-constrained IoT and networked systems through joint optimization of AI models and emerging hardware architectures.

Topics will include:

• AI-hardware co-design of neural architectures memory hierarchies and communication systems
• Model compression and optimization (pruning quantization knowledge distillation) for edge deployment
• FPGA- and ASIC-based acceleration including emerging in-memory computing platforms
• Performance and energy modeling using simulation emulation and profiling tools
• Benchmarking on representative edge workloads such as TinyML edge vision and federated learning

The successful candidates will:

• Have a proven strong educational background in history or a related subject (see eligibility criteria)
• Be excited and inspired by the proposed project area
• Be a self starter
• Have good communication skills
• Have an inquiring mind and be willing to challenge themselves

The successful candidates will benefit from a brand new campus on the banks of the River Thames next to Tower Bridge. This is an interdisciplinary vibrant research environment with international collaboration and networking opportunities and dedicated research space. It will form the hub of a highly experienced multi-institution supervisory team from NU London and the University of Kent.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in May 2026. Candidates are welcome to contact the NU London supervisor with informal enquiries before the application deadline: 01/04/2026 ()

Eligibility

• Bachelors degree in a relevant subject - 2:1 or 1st (essential)
• Masters degree in a relevant subject (optional)

English Language requirements:

If applicable IELTS 6.5 overall (with a score of at least 6.5 in each individual component) or equivalent.

Nationality

Applications are open to UK and international students. Please indicate if you are likely to require a visa on your application. We are unable to support visa costs.

Funding

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees an annual stipend and an additional London allowance (set at UKRI rates) for 3.5 years.

How to Apply

Please upload a CV and a Covering Letter stating how you meet the requirements and why you are interested in the proposed research project

Participation in the equal opportunities section is encouraged but voluntary.

Position Type

Additional Information

About the University

Northeastern University London (NU London) is a prestigious higher education institution based in the heart of London and is part of Northeastern Universitys global campus network.

Overlooking the River Thames near Tower Bridge NU London offers academically challenging educational programmes designed to inspire innovative thinking encourage interdisciplinary study and provide global experiences. The bright and modern campus offers award winning contemporary facilities for students and staff including state of the art audio visual technology in its teaching and meeting spaces.

Inspired by excellence infused with an energy of ideas and ability in motion at NU London being a part of our staff is to be a part of a collective of entrepreneurs and educators builders and London is growing quickly offering opportunity and growth for our staff. Currently hosting 1500 students our aim is to have 4000 students by 2028/29.

Choose NU London

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents the University supports staff maintaining a good work/life balance your health and wellness are of utmost importance to us and our offerings encompass:

• 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays and winter break holidays (normally 2 days between Christmas and New Year).

• Access to personalised Continuous Professional Development (CPD) plans and opportunities.

• Support with private medical insurance.

• Eye test reimbursement.

• Cycle Scheme vouchers.

• 24/7 employee assistance/ support via our Employee Assistance Programme.

• Access to deals and discounts for food & shopping in the local area.

Enquiries

Informal enquiries may be made to However all applications must be made in accordance with the application process specified.

Application process

Applications should be made viaby 00:00 on

Participation in the equal opportunities section is encouraged but voluntary.

Applications must include a covering letter of no more than one page that addresses the criteria for the role and a full curriculum vitae.

The panel will be shortlisting for this position on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close this post before the closing date if we receive a large number of applications.

Please note all employees of Northeastern University London are required to undergo at least a basic DBS check. Our organisation acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard protect and promote the welfare of our students and staff and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities government guidance and complies with best practice and Ofsted requirements. You must adhere to the above if you are offered a role with NU London.

For staffs own wellbeing for part time roles the expectation is if you have multiple roles they should not exceed full time (37.5 hours per week) and for full time roles the expectation is that this will be your only role (apart from intermittent roles).

Applications are welcome from all sections of the community and will be judged on merit alone. We welcome applications from all underrepresented groups including the Global Majority. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.