Computer Science: Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Continuous self-monitoring of simulated robot motion for intent expression (RS868)

Funding provider: Swansea University

Subject areas: Intelligent Robotics and Virtual Reality

Project start date: October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September) ** (Please see the note below regarding potential later start dates)

Supervisors:

• Primary Supervisor- Dr Julian Hough
• Secondary Supervisor- Dr Daniele Cafolla

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Computer Science

Mode of study: Full-time 

Project description: 

When robots move, human interaction partners and observers ascribe an intention to the robot. For example, in a simple pick-and-place scenario where a robot is facing two different objects, as its arm begins to move towards one of the objects, human observers ascribe a probability to the robot’s intention of picking up one or the other object, a probability which changes over time (Dragan et al, 2013). The degree to which a robot’s intention becomes clearer as it moves, or its legibility, depends on several factors, including the task at hand, the capabilities of the robot, trajectories of its motion and the viewing perspective of the observer (Nikolaidis et al, 2016).  

This project will develop continuous models of action legibility using these sources of information from data collected in a virtual reality (VR) Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) scenario. The models’ measure of action legibility will be evaluated against human response times of user confirmations in a variety of scenarios, using appropriate statistical testing to test the efficacy of the models.  

The project forms part of a wider effort for developing an effective VR HRI toolkit for improving interactive fluidity between robots and humans. The successful candidate will join the new Intelligent Robotics group in the Computer Science Department in the Computational Foundry in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Swansea University, in addition to interfacing with the established Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) FIT lab. The candidate will be working alongside other researchers on the FLUIDITY project on human-robot interaction, and those working on other real-world applications. 

Scholarship open to UK and International fee-eligible applicants

Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in Computer Science, Robotics, Engineering, Virtual Reality, Mathematics, Physics or a closely related discipline, or an appropriate master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University).   See – Country Specific Information for International Applicants 2025  

English Language
IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.0) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.

ATAS
Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website. 

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process. Successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with a scholarship course offer. 

International Students

Swansea University is pleased to offer the Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarship (SUIPRES). This is a competitively awarded Scholarship open to overseas PhD and Professional Doctorate applicants eligible for the international rate of tuition fees who can demonstrate excellence in academic achievement.   

The SUIPRES Scholarship covers the difference between the International and the Home tuition fee for the duration of the PhD/Professional Doctorate programme. Successful candidates will be charged fees aligned to the UK rate per year. The scholarship will be offset against your tuition fee liability  

All International applications will be considered for a SUIPRES Scholarship. You will be informed whether a SUIPRES Scholarship will be offered within your offer letter 

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and annual stipend at standard UKRI rates (currently £20,780 for 2025/26). 

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.

International Fee Students: Fully funded if the applicant is successful in being offered a SUIPRES Scholarship as outlined above. 

To apply, please complete the entire application form, following this link: Complete your application here in Learner Gateway

In order to be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required. 

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS868 

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory) 

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input:  
  • the RS Code, RS868 and 
  • the scholarship title.   
• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank 
• Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank 
• In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload?*’(Mandatory) Please select Yes 
• Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf) 

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected. 

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award. 

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards. 

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.    

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted. 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email): 

• CV 

• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient) 

• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project. 

• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference. 

• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable). 

• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable) 

• Confirmation of EDI form submission 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Julian Hough (julian.hough@swansea.ac.uk)

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable. 

** In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed.