QMUL - CSC PhD Studentship 2025 (CLOSED)
Primary supervisor: Dr Dimitrios Kollias (d.kollias@qmul.ac.uk)
Secondary supervisor: Prof. Ioannis Patras
Title:
Towards Holistic, Robust & Trustworthy Multimodal Behavior Analysis, Understanding & Synthesis
Abstract:
This PhD research has two primary goals: i) to develop innovative and robust multimodal algorithms that leverage visual, audio, and textual data for analyzing and understanding human behavior in unconstrained, real-world environments (i.e., in-the-wild); and ii) to create novel, efficient and effective algorithms for synthesizing human behavior in-the-wild.
Modeling human behavior presents significant challenges due to its inherent complexity, influenced by factors like emotions, culture, and context. Additionally, existing datasets may be noisy or biased, leading to potential inaccuracies. Advanced deep learning models, while powerful, often function as black boxes, making their decision-making processes opaque. Moreover, models trained on specific datasets may struggle to generalize across diverse populations or environments.
This research aims to address these challenges by developing and integrating cutting-edge deep learning techniques, including LLMs, VLLMs, Transformers, CNNs, RNNs, GNNs, GANs, Diffusion models, and NeRFs. The study will further focus on two key applications: the development of digital humans and advancements in mental health technology.
Additionally, this research will involve close collaboration with industry partners (from UK and abroad) to ensure practical applicability and to facilitate the real-world deployment of the developed algorithms.
Funding:
For successful applicants, QMUL will provide a full tuition fee waiver and then the CSC will provide living expenses (£1,350/month) for 4 years, visa costs and one return flight to the UK.
Application Deadline:
The deadline for prospective CSC candidates (of Chinese origin) to apply to QMUL is the 29th January 2025 (the expected start date of the PhD is for September 2025). Once applicants have obtained their offer letter from Queen Mary they should then apply to CSC for the scholarship. The CSC usually accepts applications between 10th-31st March. 2025 dates have not yet been confirmed. Instructions to complete this application will be available on the CSC website by the end of the year.
Who can apply:
Queen Mary and Dr Dimitrios Kollias are on the lookout for the best and brightest students. A typical successful candidate:
Should hold, or is expected to obtain an MSc in the Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline
Having obtained distinction or first-class level degree is highly desirable
Eligibility criteria:
To be eligible, applicants must:
Be a citizen and permanent resident of the People’s Republic of China (and hold a Chinese passport)
Satisfy all eligibility criteria set out by the CSC. Please to refer to CSC website for full details: http://www.csc.edu.cn
Apply to QMUL for the scholarship (as instructed in the ‘How to Apply’ section below) by the deadline of 29th January 2025.
By the deadline of 17th March 2025 have submitted all the required documentation to support application; including having met English language requirements for their research programme. English language requirements must be evidenced by a valid English language proficiency test (typically less than 2 years old by the start date). QMUL and CSC English language requirements are in general higher than the UKVI requirements, and vary by School: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/international/englishlanguagerequirements/index.html. You are therefore strongly advised to sit an approved English Language test (e.g. IELTS) as soon as possible. Your test must still be valid when you enrol for the programme. They are valid for 2 years.
After submitting their application, applicants will have until 17th March to submit outstanding documents (e, g English language, transcripts etc). If an applicant does not meet the English Language requirements by this deadline, we will not be able to nominate them to CSC for funding.
How to Apply:
Applicants are asked to follow QMUL's usual online application process and identify themselves as CSC scholars in the funding section of their application. The application form for each subject can be found by selecting your subject area from the drop-down menu. Please make sure to choose "Semester 1" and "Full-Time". https://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/applying-for-a-phd/.
The application should include the following:
CV (max 2 pages)
Cover letter (max 4,500 characters) stating clearly in the first page whether you are eligible for a scholarship.
Research proposal (max 500 words)
2 References
Certificate of English Language (for students whose first language is not English)
Other Certificates
Contact email:
d.kollias@qmul.ac.uk