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, UK
Fully-funded 4-year PhD studentships for research in Speech and Language Technologies (SLT) and their Applications
** Applications now open for last remaining September 2020 intake places **
Deadline for applications: 31 May 2020.
Speech and Language Technologies (SLTs) are a range of Artificial Intelligence (AI) approaches
which allow computer programs or electronic devices to analyse,
produce, modify or respond to human texts and speech. SLTs are
underpinned by a number of fundamental research fields including natural
language processing, speech processing, computational linguistics,
mathematics, machine learning, physics, psychology, computer science,
and acoustics. SLTs are now established as core
scientific/engineering disciplines within AI and have grown into a
world-wide multi-billion dollar industry.
Located in the
Department of Computer Science, at the
University of Sheffield – a world leading research institution in the SLT field – the
UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Speech and Language Technologies and their Applications is
a vibrant research centre that also provides training in engineering
skills, leadership, ethics, innovation, entrepreneurship, and
responsibility to society.
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 Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)
incorporating 6 months of foundational SLT training prior to starting
your research project
- Bespoke cohort-based training
programme running over the entire four years providing the necessary
skills for academic and industrial leadership in the field.
- 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 is underpinned by a real-world application, directly supported by one of our industry partners.
- 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 UK
university cities (WhatUni? 2019).
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 are
not limited to) computer science/software engineering; informatics; AI;
speech and language processing; mathematics; physics; linguistics;
cognitive science; and engineering.
- Regardless of
background, you must be able to demonstrate strong 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. The deadline is 31 May 2020.
Applications
will be reviewed within 6 weeks of the deadline and short-listed
applicants will be invited to interview. Interviews will be held in
Sheffield or via videoconference.
By replying to this email or contacting sltcdt-e...@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.