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Available Studentships
Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be addressed to Prof Noa Zilberman (noa.zilberman@eng.ox.ac.uk).
Candidates must submit a graduate application form and are expected to meet the graduate admissions criteria. Details are available on the course page of the University website.
Application deadline: noon on 1 May 2026.
Project: Merging Datacentres into Manufacturing and Process Automation
Modern manufacturing and process automation floors are evolving into complex data ecosystems, mirroring the operational challenges of datacentres. As sensors generate vast data streams for AI-driven cell operations (Industrial-grade AI), the factory becomes a distributed computing environment requiring low-latency response, resilience, and energy efficiency. This research project addresses the challenge of developing e-Infrastructure for manufacturing that combines datacentre performance with the constraints of an AI-driven factory.
You will research emerging computing solutions for AI-driven manufacturing, covering aspects of network design and resilience, workload scheduling and deployment, and energy efficiency.
Prospective candidates will be judged according to how well they meet the following criteria:
- A first class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent) in Engineering or Computer Science
- Excellent knowledge in computer networks
- Excellent programming skills (C/C++, Python and scripting languages)
- Excellent English written and spoken communication skills
The following skills are desirable but not essential:
- A distinction or first class honours Masters degree in Engineering or Computer Science
- Previous research experience in the subject area (e.g., final year project, internship)
- Good knowledge in distributed systems
- Previous experience in network simulation
- Previous experience in network drivers and tools
- Previous experience in distributed AI workloads
- Previous experience in industrial systems
- Previous experience writing for publication
DPhil (PhD) Studentships
Interested candidates are encouraged to browse the group's webpage before applying. Informal inquiries are encouraged and should be addressed to Prof Noa Zilberman (noa.zilberman@eng.ox.ac.uk).
The applications deadline for 2026 has passed, except for the iDLA studentship noted above.
All applications must be made through the university's applications system, see here.
Make sure that your reference letters are submitted before this deadline!
Focus research areas for 2026
1. Networking for Frontier AI Systems (hardware focused, fully funded)
2. Computer Engineering for AI-Driven Manufacturing (networking focused, fully funded for Home-fees applicants), in collaboration with Siemens.
3. Future Proofing Networks for AI Workloads (networking focused, TBC funding), in collaboration with BT.
4. Technical AI Governance - Compute infrastructure governance (fully funded), part of Oxford Martin AI Governance Initiative.
5. Sustainable and resilient computing / networking infrastructure (hardware or software, TBC funding)
AI / Machine learning algorithms are NOT a focus research area.
Self funded studentships are not encouraged. Candidates can check the following page for funding opportunities.
Postdoctoral and RSE Positions
There are currently no open postdoctoral or RSE positions.
Over the last year we opened 4 different postdoctoral and RSE positions, so watch this space for more opportunities!
4YP Projects
We are offering every year a few projects for 4th year Oxford MEng students. Projects can be either open or closed, and cover a wide range of topics, from low-level hardware design to high-level systems and applications. See here for some examples of past students projects.
EUROP Projects
We are happy to host every year EUROP projects for 2nd and 3rd year Oxford EngSci students. Projects can be across all themes. Contact Prof Noa Zilberman for more details.
Summer Internships
We offer summer internships for undergraduate students as part of the UNIQ+ project.
Refer to the Engineering projects at this link (Project Engineering11 in 2026)
Visitors
We are not taking any visiting students or researchers.