Application(s) are invited from suitably qualified candidates for full-time funded PhD scholarship(s) starting in September 2026 affiliated to the School of Engineering, College of Science and Engineering at the University of Galway. 

University of Galway

Located in the vibrant cultural city of Galway in the west of Ireland, the University of Galway has a distinguished reputation for teaching and research excellence. 

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie 

Detailed Project Description

The University of Galway invites applications for a full-time, fully-funded PhD student focused on control, optimization, game theory, and embodied intelligence in robotics and autonomous systems. This is a unique opportunity to work on a project combining cutting-edge academic insight with real-world robotics applications. The PhD project will focus on the design of advanced control and decision-making algorithms to enhance the intelligence, autonomy, and adaptability of robotic systems. In particular, the research will investigate distributed and/or game-theoretic control frameworks for multi-robot systems, integrating optimization-based planning with learning-enabled adaptation. The aim is to develop theoretically grounded yet practically deployable algorithms that allow multi-agent robotics to operate robustly in dynamic, uncertain, and interactive environments.

Key research directions may include:

• Nonlinear control for complex robotic systems
• Distributed optimization and coordination in multi-agent systems
• Game-theoretic modelling of cooperative and competitive robotic behaviours
• Data-driven and learning-based control methods
• Embodied intelligence, where perception, control, and physical interaction are tightly coupled

The successful candidate will work at the intersection of theory and implementation, developing rigorous mathematical foundations while validating the proposed methods on robotic platforms such as aerial or ground autonomous systems. The project aims to contribute both high-impact theoretical results and experimentally validated intelligent robotic behaviours.

What we offer

• A dynamic and applied research environment at the intersection of academia and industry
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratories, equipment and test facilities (UAVs, ground vehicles, and robot manipulator)
• Mentorship and collaboration with leading control and robotics experts from Ireland and other countries
• Opportunities for international research exchanges at leading institutions in Europe, North America, and top universities in China, including KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden), the University of Waterloo (Canada), and Peking University (China).

Living allowance (Stipend): €25,000 per annum, [tax-exempt scholarship award] 

University fees: [€5,890 EU rate including levy] are covered by the scholarship.

Start date: 1st September 2026

Academic Entry Requirements: 

• 1st class or 2.1 honours Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in control, or mathematics, or mechanical engineering or closed related discipline (e.g. Automation or Computer Science)
• A background in control theory, robotics/artificial intelligence, or related fields is required. Applicants with a strong mathematical foundation and/or hands-on robotics experience, and familiarity with the Robot Operating System (ROS), will be given preference
• Candidates must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and a strong passion and motivation for excellence in engineering research, with a view to publication, international conference presentations and collaborations
• Strong self-motivation and self-learning abilities, and a high sense of responsibility and teamwork spirit
• Problem-solving, critical thinking and troubleshooting skills

To Apply for the Scholarship: Expressions of interest comprising submission of a covering letter, CV, transcript, statement of personal research interests, and the contact details of two referees, to be submitted via e-mail to panpan.zhou@universityofgalway.ie with the subject title “PhD application 2026 - your name”. 

Contact Name: Panpan Zhou

Contact Email:panpan.zhou@universityofgalway.ie

Application Deadline: 15/June /2026 and time 17:00 (Irish time 24hr format). The position will remain open until filled, and we reserve the right to close the call at any time.

Primary Supervisor name: Dr. Panpan Zhou