Graduate Research Assistant MSCA (PhD Studentship) in Exeter

This new full-time post is available to start between 1 June 2026 and 1 December 2026 on a fixed term basis for 36 months, based at our Streatham campus. The post must start by 1 December 2026.

Environment, Science and Economy: This vacancy is for the DC7 position: Doctoral Graduate Research Assistant (PhD studentship) in accurate spatial-temporal prediction of energy generation and demand as part of the SAILING Doctoral Network, an EU-funded Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) initiative.

Salary: The starting salary will be 33,951 GBP on Grade E depending on experience and skill set.

Contractual hours: 36.5 hours per week.

Summary of the role: The SAILING Doctoral Network aims to train 12 next generation scientists in creating an intelligent and automated energy management system powered by secure AI and digital twin for the Internet-of-Energy (IoE). Individual projects map into five objectives:

• high-fidelity IoE digital twin;
• secure AI techniques for IoE;
• intelligent and scalable IoE energy management strategy;
• agile IoE fault detection and accurate failure prediction;
• intelligent energy optimisation system.

SAILING provides training, supervision, and international mobility for impact in society and the economy.

This specific PhD project focuses on developing a hybrid prediction model to forecast variable energy generation and demand. Key objectives include:

• a prediction model integrating domain knowledge in IoE;
• a hybrid deep neural network for spatial-temporal information representation;
• an effective feature selection mechanism for prediction.

The post will include 2 separate secondments, about 3-months duration each, to other EU and Associated Country partners of the SAILING Doctoral Network for training and collaboration purposes.

About You: The successful applicant will be able to present research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information (orally, in writing and electronically), and contribute to proposals and applications to external bodies. Applicants will be educated to first degree level (or equivalent qualification/experience) in a relevant discipline (e.g., Computer Science, Information/Cybersecurity, Electrical/Power Engineering, Energy Systems, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence) and able to demonstrate knowledge of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.

Applicants will be able to:

• Demonstrate strong quantitative and analytical skills and an ability to learn new methods quickly.
• Show interest in Computer Science/Internet-of-Energy/Cybersecurity/Artificial Intelligence and related data, modelling, and operational challenges.
• Develop and evaluate algorithmic solutions (e.g., machine learning, optimisation, statistical modelling, distributed systems) depending on project direction.
• Implement research prototypes and run reproducible experiments using programming and tooling.
• Work with datasets, including data preparation, experimental design, benchmarking, and reporting of results.
• Collaborate effectively with supervisors and partners, including contributing to network-wide training, secondments, and dissemination.

Please ensure you read the job description and person specification for full details of this role and eligibility criteria.

What we can offer you: Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research. Support teams that understand the University-wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly. An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that provides specialist support for external engagement and development. Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career. A range of staff benefits including sector-leading maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy. 39 days leave per year. A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon.

Specific to SAILING MSCA PhD Studentships: Full employment contract with competitive salary for three years. An additional supplementary allowance of ~£3300* per annum which attracts both NI and pension. Mobility allowance (~£5750*/year), and family allowance if applicable (~£4000*/year) adjusted for the cost of living in the host country (UK). Values subject to exchange rate when appointment is made. Access to state-of-the-art facilities, laboratories and expert supervision. International secondments and training events and networking with 11 fellow PhD students from the SAILING MSCA Doctoral Network.

We are a member of the Russell Group and are committed to diversity and inclusion. We follow an open, transparent, merit-based recruitment process and welcome applications from groups underrepresented within our working community. The University is dedicated to promoting the role of women in science and explicitly invites women to apply. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive.

Further information: For further information please see our website SAILING Doctoral Network or contact Professor Geyong Min.