Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a significant role in the world today. Its impact is transformational, and
it is disrupting society and industry alike. Over the last decade major advances have been achieved
due to the availability of vast amounts of digital data, the availability of powerful computing
architectures, and advances in AI techniques, such as machine learning.

The SFI Centre for Research Training in Artificial Intelligence was established in March 2019 with
funding of over €14 million from Science Foundation Ireland and an additional €3.3 million from
industry and academic partners. It is Ireland's national centre for PhD-level training in AI and will
train more than 120 PhDs across four cohorts, with an intake of 30 students per annum for the next
four years. The centre brings together five of Ireland's seven universities and a team of almost 60
supervisors across the country. This centre is a joint initiative between University College Cork,
Dublin City University, University of Galway, Trinity College Dublin, and the University of Limerick. We
offer fully funded PhD scholarships inclusive of fees, a monthly stipend, and a budget for travel and
training.

We invite applications from suitably qualified applications for places at the CRT for the cohort
starting in September/October 2023. The four year fully funded program is available to those
interested in producing cutting edge research with the potential to solve some of the world’s most
pressing issues. The successful candidate will be part of a group; the first of its kind in Ireland to lead
and accelerate the trends in AI through the conduct of original research. We are seeking highly
motivated applicants who are hard-working, creative and looking for a meaningful PhD. The
successful individual will be adaptable, flexible and very willing to be mentored.

The objective of this PhD programme is to provide postgraduate research students, the core skills
tools and techniques in the theory and application of Artificial Intelligence. The student will be
exposed to and develop AI solutions to a wide range of domains including areas such as smart
buildings mobility and transportation, autonomous vehicles, public service delivery, manufacturing,
enterprise, cybersecurity, climate change, and environment agriculture, marine, food production and
natural resources.

The CRT aims to deliver a world class bespoke PhD training programme that will train a new
generation of scholars in AI while ensuring the highest level of ethical and responsible research
throughout the students training and research. This will involve five strands of study taken from
topics such as Recommender System & Personalisation; Optimisation and Constraint Programming;
Natural Language Processing; Machine Learning; Visual Media Processing; Ethics of Data Analytics
and Fair, Accountable, Transparent AI. Each strand will be delivered by an expert and will consist of
an intensive week of blended learning activities- seminars, workshops, practical tasks, group work
and independent preparation. Students will develop critical skills in identifying, critiquing and
applying suitable AI-based solutions both individually and in groups and learn from external experts
about the latest research developments.

Students will be placed with industry partners for a substantial placement experience at least once
during the 4 years of the programme for a minimum duration of 3 months. All students will partake
in a unique world class cohort-based PhD training programme that builds on the interdisciplinary
expertise in the provision of excellent world class post graduate student training in the areas of
Artificial Intelligence. Students will be mentored by the lecturers and by a team of research students
and post-doctoral researchers.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion: Our Centre supports equality and accessibility and is committed to
creating an environment where diversity is celebrated and everyone is treated equally. Women are
encouraged to apply to our program since we promote women's roles in AI.

Requirements

Applicants should hold a 2.1 honours undergraduate degree or master’s degree in computer science,
Computer Engineering, Data Analytics, Industrial Mathematics, Statistics, or relevant research areas.
Ideally applicants will be able to demonstrate an interest in both theoretical and software
engineering skills, with a keen interest in Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, and related areas. We are
especially interested in candidates with knowledge of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning
Constraint Programming, Operations Research, and Wireless Sensors.

Candidates are required to provide evidence of English language ability as per local University
guidelines.
UCC: https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/comparison/english/postgraduate/
UL:
https://www.ul.ie/global/incoming-students/need-know-information/english-language-requirem
ents
UG: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/international-students/studyinireland/entryrequirements/
DCU:
https://www.dcu.ie/registry/english-language-requirements-non-native-speakers-english-reg
istry#tab-114966-2
TCD: https://www.tcd.ie/study/international/how-to-apply/entry-requirements.php

Funding: EU applicants will be eligible for a full award paying fees and maintenance at standard rates.
The stipend rates for 2023/24 studentships are €5,500 fees, stipend €19,000 per annum and are
currently being reviewed at National level. Financial support for this fully funded structured PhD
programme is strictly funded for a 4 year period only.