PhD Studentship in Sustainable and Circular AI Systems
Investigate sustainable hardware, critical raw materials, and circular economy strategies for AI infrastructure.
Best for:Best for engineering graduates with a strong quantitative modelling background interested in sustainable AI and circular economy strategies.
Overview
This 3.5-year D.Phil. studentship at the University of Oxford investigates how the rapid expansion of Artificial Intelligence can be supported by sustainable and circular hardware and infrastructure. Operating within the Department of Engineering Science and the Circular Economy and Sustainability Lab, the researcher will map computing requirements to physical hardware and material supply chains. The project examines how lifetime extension, reuse, and remanufacturing can reduce environmental impacts while maintaining computational performance. The successful candidate will work closely with academic and industry partners to develop future infrastructure scenarios.
What you'll do
- Develop scenarios connecting AI computational performance with physical hardware and material requirements.
- Map computing infrastructure demands to underlying raw materials to identify supply-chain bottlenecks.
- Investigate how alternative hardware lifespans and circular strategies reduce environmental impact.
- Contribute to the Circular Electricals and Electronics Project objectives.
- Collaborate with industry stakeholders and present research findings to relevant audiences.
- Publish research outcomes in leading academic venues and project reports.
Requirements
Degree required: First class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in Engineering or a related discipline
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; excellent written and spoken communication skills
Instruction: English
- Quantitative modelling and analysis of engineering, material, or technology systems
- Strong academic background in engineering or a related discipline
- Excellent written and spoken English communication skills
- Open to Home and overseas students
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-12-02
Candidates must submit a graduate application form through the University of Oxford website and meet all graduate admissions criteria. Applicants should quote reference 27ENGEL_LC in their application and all related correspondence. Informal enquiries can be directed to the lead supervisor via email.
- Graduate application form
- Undergraduate transcripts
- Reference letters
- CV
Contact
Lucia Corsini· Professor
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