UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Speech and Language Technologies (SLT) and their Applications 

Department of Computer Science

Faculty of Engineering 

University of Sheffield

Fully-funded 4-year PhD studentships for research in Speech and Language Technologies (SLT) and their Applications

** Apply now for September 2020 intake. Up to 13 studentships available **

Deadline for applications: 31 January 2020. 

What makes the SLT CDT different:

• Unique Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) with Integrated Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in SLT Leadership. 

• Bespoke cohort-based training programme running over the entire four years providing the necessary skills for academic and industrial leadership in the field, based on elements covering core SLT skills, research software engineering (RSE), ethics, innovation, entrepreneurship, management, and societal responsibility.  

• The centre is a world-leading hub for training scientists and engineers in SLT ? two core areas within artificial intelligence (AI) which are experiencing unprecedented growth and will continue to do so over the next decade.

• Setting that fosters interdisciplinary approaches, innovation and engagement with real world users and awareness of the social and ethical consequences of work in this area.

The benefits:

• Four-year fully-funded studentship covering all fees and an enhanced stipend (£17,000 pa)

• Generous personal allowance for research-related travel, conference attendance, specialist equipment, etc.

• A full-time PhD with integrated PGDip incorporating 6 months of foundational SLT training prior to starting your research project 

• Supervision from a team of over 20 internationally leading SLT researchers, covering all core areas of modern SLT research, and a broader pool of over 50 academics in cognate disciplines with interests in SLTs and their application

• Every PhD project underpinned by a real-world application, directly supported by one of over 30 industry partners. Partners include Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Nuance, NHS Digital and many more

• A dedicated CDT workspace within a collaborative and inclusive research environment hosted by the Department of Computer Science

• Work and live in Sheffield - a cultural centre on the edge of the Peak District National Park which is in the top 10 most affordable and safest UK university cities.

About you:

We are looking for students from a wide range of backgrounds interested in Speech and Language Technologies. 

• High-quality (ideally first class) undergraduate or masters (ideally distinction) degree in a relevant discipline. Suitable backgrounds include (but not limited to) computer science, informatics, engineering, linguistics, speech and language processing, mathematics, cognitive science, AI, physics, or a related discipline. 

• Regardless of background, you must be able to demonstrate mathematical aptitude (minimally to A-Level standard or equivalent) and experience of programming.

• We particularly encourage applications from groups that are underrepresented in technology.

• Candidates must satisfy the UKRI funding eligibility criteria. Students must have settled status in the UK and have been ?ordinarily resident? in the UK for at least 3 years prior to the start of the studentship. Full details of eligibility criteria can be found on our website.

Applying:

Applications are now sought for the September 2020 intake. Up to 13 studentships available.

We operate a staged admissions process, with application deadlines throughout the year. 

The first deadline for applications is 31 January 2020. The second deadline is 31 May 2020. 

Applications will be reviewed within 4 weeks of each deadline and short-listed applicants will be invited to interview. Interviews will be held in Sheffield.

In some cases, because of the high volume of applications we receive, we may need more time to assess your application. If this is the case, we will let you know if we intend to do this.

We may be able to consider applications received after 31 May 2020 if places are still available. Equally, all places may be allocated after the first deadline therefore we encourage you to apply early.

See our website for full details and guidance on how to apply: slt-cdt.ac.uk 

For an informal discussion about your application please contact us by email at: sltcdt-enquiries@sheffield.ac.uk

By replying to this email or contacting sltcdt-enquiries@sheffield.ac.uk you consent to being contacted by the University of Sheffield in relation to the CDT. You are free to withdraw your permission in writing at any time.