PhD Opportunities
Future Open SecuRe NeTworks (FORT) PhD Opportunities
About the Program
The FORT initiative proudly offers five additional fully funded PhD positions, complete with top-ups, designed to advance research in the cutting-edge fields of technology. Our PhD scholarships span across exciting topics such as Space/Terrestrial Communications, Trustworthy AI, Secure Hardware, and AI-assisted Security. Each position is structured to foster innovation, offer substantial financial support, and provide real-world industry experience.
Key Benefits
- Tuition Fees: Fully covered (annually £4700 → £0 for you).
- Stipend: A generous tax-free stipend of approximately £21500 for 48 months, comparable to an entry-level salary in the industry of over £28000.
- Industrial Placement: Opportunities for enhanced training and a 3/6-month placement with our network of over 20 industry partners.
- Expert Supervision: Benefit from the mentorship of leading academics from the University of Surrey and seasoned industry professionals.
- Year 1 Taught Modules: In the first year, students benefit from specially designed modules aimed at enhancing their knowledge base. This foundational year also provides ample time to delve into their chosen research topic and finalize their supervisor by the end of Year 1, ensuring a tailored and focused research journey.
Research Topics
How to apply
Begin by exploring the research topics we offer to determine which aligns best with your academic interests and career aspirations. Each topic has a dedicated page with more detailed information and links to apply
The PhD Experience: A Closer Look
Our program goes beyond the traditional PhD to meet the evolving demands of today's knowledge-based economy. Here's how:
- Industry-Conscious Leadership: We aim to cultivate industry-aware leaders equipped with the skills for tomorrow's challenges.
- Comprehensive Skill Development: Gain leadership, management, and enterprise skills to excel in any professional setting.
- Responsible Innovation: Learn to conduct research that's not only cutting-edge but also ethical and impactful.
Prepare to emerge as a forward-thinking leader ready to innovate and inspire in the global technology landscape.
We encourage prospective students to apply early to secure their place in this prestigious program.
Meet Your Project Coordinator: Dr. Jesus Martinez del Rincon
Dr. Jesus, affiliated with the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science, is renowned for his deep expertise in machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, and data analytics. His research interests are pivotal to the advancement of both cyber and physical security, focusing on areas such as deep learning for cybersecurity, human motion analysis, pose estimation, activity recognition, and real-time multi-target tracking.
Learn more about Dr. Jesus Martinez del Rincon and his research.
EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Future Open SecuRe NeTworks (FORT)
About the Program
The FORT initiative proudly offers five additional fully funded PhD positions (UK/Home students), complete with top-ups, designed to advance research in the cutting-edge fields of technology. Our PhD scholarships span across exciting topics such as Space/Terrestrial Communications, Trustworthy AI, Secure Hardware, and AI-assisted Security. Each position is structured to foster innovation, offer substantial financial support, and provide real-world industry experience.
Key Benefits
- Tuition Fees: Fully covered (annually £4700 → £0 for you).
- Stipend: A generous tax-free stipend of approximately £21500 per year for 4 years, comparable to an entry-level salary in the industry of over £25800.
- RTSG: An annual allowance of approx £3700 to fund conference attendance/ training
- Industrial Placement: Opportunities for enhanced training and a 3/6-month placement with our network of over 20 industry partners.
- Expert Supervision: Benefit from the mentorship of leading academics from CSIT, University of Surrey and seasoned industry professionals.
- Taught Modules: In the first year, students benefit from a range of specialist modules at both QUB and Surrey, aimed at enhancing their knowledge base.
- This foundational year also provides ample time to delve into their chosen research topic and finalise their supervisor by the end of Year 1 with a Group Research Project, ensuring a tailored and focused research journey.
- Compulsory modules will be delivered in short block mode and travel to the host institution will be arranged/supported by the CDT.
Year 1 Outline:
Please note this is a draft timetable and may be subject to change based on module selections etc
Semester 1
Compulsory Modules @ QUB - Short block delivery mode
▪Foundations of Cyber Security
▪Data, Privacy and the Law
Compulsory (select preferred location)
▪Machine Learning @ QUB or Surrey
One Optional Module from:
▪Network Security & Monitoring @ QUB
▪Asymmetric and Symmetric Cryptography @ Surrey
▪Satellite Communication Fundamentals @ Surrey
▪Internet of Things @ Surrey
▪Information Security Management @ Surrey
Semester 2
Compulsory Modules @ Surrey – Short Block Delivery Mode
▪5G Networks- Data and Internet Networking
Two Optional Modules from:
▪Applied Cryptography @QUB
▪Software Assurance @QUB
▪Cyber AI @QUB
▪Advanced 5G Wireless Technologies @Surrey
▪Advanced Satellite Communication Techniques @Surrey
▪Network Security @Surrey
▪Cloud Security @Surrey
Research Topics/ Themes
How to apply
Begin by exploring the research topics we offer to determine which aligns best with your academic interests and career aspirations. Each topic has a dedicated page with more detailed information and links to apply
The PhD Experience: A Closer Look
Our program goes beyond the traditional PhD to meet the evolving demands of today's knowledge-based economy. Here's how:
- Industry-Conscious Leadership: We aim to cultivate industry-aware leaders equipped with the skills for tomorrow's challenges.
- Comprehensive Skill Development: Gain leadership, management, and enterprise skills to excel in any professional setting.
- Responsible Innovation: Learn to conduct research that's not only cutting-edge but also ethical and impactful.
Prepare to emerge as a forward-thinking leader ready to innovate and inspire in the global technology landscape.
We encourage prospective students to apply early to secure their place in this prestigious program.
Meet Your Project Coordinator: Dr. Jesus Martinez del Rincon
Dr. Jesus, affiliated with the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science, is renowned for his deep expertise in machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, and data analytics. His research interests are pivotal to the advancement of both cyber and physical security, focusing on areas such as deep learning for cybersecurity, human motion analysis, pose estimation, activity recognition, and real-time multi-target tracking.
Learn more about Dr. Jesus Martinez del Rincon and his research.
If you have any questions about the programme, please contact a.ward@qub.ac.uk
CLOSING DATE 20TH JULY 2024
(Interviews are scheduled for Wednesday 7th August)