Informatics: IPAB: Robotics, Computer Vision, Computer Graphics and Animation Doctor of Philosophy - PhD

The Institute of Perception, Action and Behaviour (IPAB) focuses on how to link computational perception, representation, transformation and generation processes to external worlds, in theory and in practice.

This covers domains such as:

* visual perception

* dynamic control of robot systems

* active sensing and decision making

* biomimetic robotics

* computer-based generation of external phenomena, such as images, music or actions

* agent-based interaction within computer games and animation

Supported by the dynamic research culture of IPAB, you can develop robots that learn their own motor control, mimic animal behaviours, or produce autonomous and coordinated team actions. Or you can work with systems that interpret real images and video, or generate complex behaviour in animated characters.

We aim to link strong theoretical perspectives with practical hands-on construction and systems development, and provide the hardware and software support to realise this vision.

Reputation

The University of Edinburgh consistently ranks among the world's top universities for Computer Science, including 22nd in the world and 5th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 ranked our School 1st in the UK for research power in Computer Science and Informatics. This means you will learn from experts at the forefront of their fields, undertaking cutting-edge research in a wide range of areas.

Environment

You will be part of a large, vibrant department with around 2000 students across undergraduate, masters and research programmes and 150 academic staff.

You will study in the heart of Edinburgh city centre, regularly voted as one of the most desirable places to live in the world, and one of the UK’s fastest-growing tech hubs.