Overview 

The Oxford Robotics Institute (ORI) is one of three institutions leading the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Robotics and AI for Net Zero (RAINZ). RAINZ will train a new generation of robotic systems engineers equipped with the creative, multi-disciplinary expertise needed to tackle pressing infrastructure challenges in line with the UK’s Net Zero strategy. Students on the programme spend their first year training at the University of Manchester, before moving to one of three universities to complete a DPhil or PhD on an industry-supported project. RAINZ aims to recruit 10-15 students per year for four years, with the first cohort starting training in autumn 2025. Home students will be fully funded. There is very limited support for overseas students. 

Recruitment Process

If you wish to join the ORI as a DPhil student through RAINZ you need to apply to the RAINZ CDT via the mechanism described on the RAINZ application website. To be considered for one of the ORI projects you need to select at least one of the advertised RAINZ projects associated with a supervisor at the University of Oxford. You can apply for up to three projects, including across institutions. If you are shortlisted for a project you will be interviewed for both the RAINZ training programme and the Oxford DPhil programme at the same time.

Available Projects 

The following projects are being advertised by ORI supervisors. The deadline for application is 11th February 2025. The students selected for these projects will start training at the  University of Manchester in September 2025 before transferring to the University of Oxford to start a DPhil in October 2026. For more information on the project, click on the title to view the page on FindAPhd. If you'd like to understand whether or not you are suitable for the project before applying, please contact the supervisor. You do not need to contact them in order to apply, since they will see your application material after the deadline.  

• Real-Time Reconstruction and 3D Mapping of Natural Environments, supervised by Maurice Fallon, industrial partner Blenheim Palace.
• Uncertainty-aware safe leak mapping for industrial inspection, supervised by Nick Hawes, industrial partner Baker Hughes.
• Planning for Robust Action for Autonomous Vehicles Under Epistemic Uncertainty, supervised by Ioannis Havoutis, industrial partner Oxa.
• Learning Robust World Models for Autonomous Robotic Maintenance of Net Zero Energy Infrastructure, supervised by Ingmar Posner, industrial partner UKAEA.