Key facts
- Type of research degree
- PhD
- Application deadline
- Ongoing deadline
- Project start date
- Tuesday 1 October 2024
- Country eligibility
- International (open to all nationalities, including the UK)
- Funding
- Competition funded
- Source of funding
- University of Leeds
- Supervisors
- Professor Arshad Jhumka
- Additional supervisors
- Dr Evangelos Pournaras
- Schools
- School of Computing
- Research groups/institutes
- Distributed Systems and Services
A typical adult spends roughly 80% of a day indoors, whether it is at work or at home. Irrespective of the location, there are policies that are monitored to determine adherence to them. For example, a policy at home may be to reduce electricity consumption by 15%. Another different policy, this time at work, for an adult may be to take at least 2K steps while a company policy at an aggregate level may be to reduce energy consumption by 10%. Another policy may be that at least 75% of office workers need to engage with recycling. Overall, in one given location, there may be several and possibly conflicting policies imposed on the system.<br /> <br /> Such policies are difficult to monitor due to environmental or device constraints. For example, a device may be running in low-power mode, making tracking step counts more challenging. Another challenge is the added privacy policy that needs to be respected. In this project, we assume that users (or agents) are self-interested (i.e., rational) agents and will need to be incentivised to help implement a policy. Some of the problems that will be addressed are (i) how are agents incentivised and/or punished to ensure that policies are satisfied and (ii) how are policies monitored in the system in the presence of constraints. <br /> Applicants need to have strong programming skills in C/C++, Python or Java as well as mathematical skills for modelling.<br />
<p style="margin-bottom:11px">Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. Please state clearly in the Planned Course of Study section that you are applying for <strong><em>PHD Computing FT,</em></strong> in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <em><strong>Multi-agent Modelling for Policy Monitoring in Smart Buildings</strong></em> as well as <em><strong>Professor Arshad Jhumka</strong></em> as your proposed supervisor and in the finance section, please state clearly <em><strong>the funding that you are applying for, if you are self-funding or externally sponsored</strong></em>.</p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p> <p>Applications will be considered after the closing date. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisors for an informal discussion before making a formal application. We also advise that you apply at the earliest opportunity as the application and selection process may close early, should we receive a sufficient number of applications or that a suitable candidate is appointed.</p> <p>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of 3 April 2024 for Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship or 8 April 2024 for Leeds Doctoral Scholarship:</p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul>
Applicants to this research degree programme must have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) and a Masters' degree in an appropriate discipline. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.
The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.5 in writing and at least 6.0 in reading, listening and speaking or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.
<p><strong>Self-Funded or externally sponsored students are welcome to apply.</strong></p> <p><strong>UK</strong> – The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/209-leeds-doctoral-scholarships-2022">Leeds Doctoral Scholarships</a> and <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/234-leeds-opportunity-research-scholarship-2022">Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship</a> (open from October 2023) are available to UK applicants. <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary">Alumni Bursary</a> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds.</p> <p><strong>Non-UK</strong> – The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/48-china-scholarship-council-university-of-leeds-scholarships-2021">China Scholarship Council - University of Leeds Scholarship</a> is available to nationals of China (now closed for 2024/25 entry). The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/73-leeds-marshall-scholarship">Leeds Marshall Scholarship</a> is available to support US citizens. <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary">Alumni Bursary</a> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds.</p> <p><strong>Important:</strong> Any costs associated with your arrival at the University of Leeds to start your PhD including flights, immigration health surcharge/medical insurance and Visa costs are not covered under this studentship.</p> <p>Please refer to the <a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/">UKCISA</a> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:11px">For further information about this project, please contact Professor Arshad Jhumka by email to <a href="mailto:h.a.jhumka@leeds.ac.uk">h.a.jhumka@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information about your application, please contact Doctoral College Admissions by email to <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a></p>