How can robots determine whether physical contact is secure, regulate it before failure, and adapt these principles across objects, hands and tasks?
Our research addresses the fundamental science of robotic dexterity: how robots sense, regulate and adapt physical contact to manipulate objects skilfully. Prospective PhD projects will normally centre on one clearly defined research question within one of the following connected directions:
A PhD would not be expected to address all three directions. A strong project should begin with a focused scientific hypothesis and use sensing, modelling, control, learning or hardware development as methods for testing it.
Depending on the project, the research may involve analytical modelling, control design, machine learning, physics-based simulation, hardware prototyping and experimental validation on robotic platforms. We are particularly interested in methods that remain physically interpretable and whose assumptions can be tested through carefully designed experiments.
Prospective students will be supervised by Dr Efi Psomopoulou at the University of Bristol and will join the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, a multidisciplinary robotics research environment.
Applicants must hold/achieve a minimum of a merit at master’s degree level (or international equivalent) in a science, mathematics or engineering discipline. Applicants without a master’s qualification may be considered on an exceptional basis, provided they hold a first-class undergraduate degree. Please note, acceptance will also depend on evidence of readiness to pursue a research degree.
We welcome applicants from backgrounds including robotics, engineering mathematics, control, computer science, mechanical or electronic engineering, mechatronics, and related disciplines. Strong applicants will normally bring experience in at least one relevant area—such as mathematical modelling, control, machine learning, simulation, tactile sensing, mechanical design or experimental robotics—together with a clear motivation to develop the complementary skills required by the project. We do not expect applicants to already be specialists in every area.
If English is not your first language, you need to meet this profile level: Profile E
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
There are 5 entry points in the Faculty of Engineering:
At the first stage, please apply through the form available here. If successful after the first stage, you will need to apply through the university portal by the faculty’s determined deadline.
Personal statement: Please also provide a personal statement that describes your training and experience so far, your motivation for doing a PhD, your motivations for applying to the University of Bristol, and why you think we should select you. We are keen to support applicants from minority and under-represented backgrounds (based on protected characteristics) and those who have experienced other challenges or disadvantages. We encourage you to use your personal statement to ensure we can take these factors into account.
There is no guaranteed funding for this research. There may be opportunities for scholarships depending on the application competitiveness.
School scholarships are usually open yearly with a deadline in December for a September start. Please get in touch ahead of time through the form to develop a competitive application.