2027 Studentships: Designing Responsible NLP PhD), University of Edinburgh

Thinking about a PhD that connects language technology with ethics, design, law and society? The UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Responsible and Trustworthy in-the-world NLP at the University of Edinburgh is recruiting for studentships starting in September 2027. It is a four-year integrated PhD, based at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, with taught courses alongside your own research and placements with 70+ partners. It is open to people from computer science, design, linguistics, law, digital humanities and beyond. You don't need to code or have an NLP background, though you should understand NLP technologies. Applicants are generally expected to hold at least a 2:1 undergraduate and/or a Master's degree, but strong professional or research experience can also count. Both Home and Overseas fee applicants can apply, although Overseas places are limited to 30%. Studentships are fully funded: tuition fees are waived, and Home fee students receive £30,000 a year (Overseas students get the UKRI rate, £21,805 in 2026/27). There is also about £17,000 for travel, equipment and materials and £8,000 for placements. Applying has two stages. Stage 1 closes at midnight (UK time) on 30 November 2026, via an online form with research experience, professional experience and a Statement of Alignment. No research proposal is needed yet. Shortlisted applicants are invited to Stage 2 (deadline 22 January 2027). Start by reading the How to Apply page.