The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Intelligent Games and Game Intelligence (IGGI CDT) is offering up to 12 fully funded Ph.D. studentships including a living stipend for a 4-year Ph.D. starting in September 2020 at the University or York and Queen Mary, University of London.
We are seeking diverse and motivated candidates to join our 70 current Ph.D. students working with world-leading academics, game companies, and social organisations on interdisciplinary games research that matters. Exemplary research topics include:
- Using machine learning (ML) and other forms of artificial intelligence (AI) to create interesting, fun, believable game agents
- Augmented creativity tools that support game designers and developers, e.g. procedural content generation, AI-assisted game design and testing
- Understanding player experience, games user research, and game analytics
- Game audio and music
- Interaction, user experience, and learning design for games
- Using games and gamification to support wellbeing, learning, or social change
- Using Esports and other game data to study human behaviour and psychology
- Using game AI to improve real-world decision making
# Why apply to IGGI #
IGGI is a collaboration between the University of York and Queen Mary, University of London. The programme trains PhD researchers to become the next generation of leaders in games research, design, and development and create positive social and economic impact through games.
You will receive focused skills training in game design, games research methods, game development, game AI, responsible innovation, and engaging users and the public with your work. In addition, you will have access to optional training in a wide range of topics such as HCI, graphics, audio, psychology, or AI.
You will also have opportunities to collaborate with other students and researchers, make games, and share your work through
- the annual IGGI Game Jam, a 48 hour game development challenge as part of the Global Game Jam, enhancing your skills in game design, development, and teamwork;
- the annual IGGI Conference, showcasing student research alongside industry and academic speakers;
- student-led events such as research seminars, board game evenings, or workshops.
IGGI will give you the opportunity to work directly with industry and social partner organisations. Placements, research exchanges, and other forms of knowledge exchange will give you the possibility to make a direct positive impact, experience the games industry first hand, and collaborate with researchers and practitioners. Current IGGI students have worked with partner organisations such as Sony Interactive Entertainment, Bossa Studios, Google, Bloomberg, Media Molecule, BT, Splash Damage, Microsoft Research, and Sue Ryder. You can find a list of more IGGI partners here.
# Who should apply #
IGGI students are a diverse group, and admission is decided on the basis of your potential to do excellent research and contribute to IGGI’s goal of making a positive impact with games research. We especially welcome applications from female and minority ethnic candidates as well as other groups that are under-represented in games research and industry.
EU and international students are eligible to apply and receive a stipend and tuition based on the normal EPSRC rules. The UK government has guaranteed that EU students enrolling in the 2020/21 academic year will continue to receive stipends and tuition fees covered by the IGGI grant through the duration of their studies even after the UK’s exit from the EU.
# How to apply #
If you are interested, please visit the website for full details on the application process and a list of potential supervisors, or contact us at apply@iggi.org.uk with any questions.
We expect substantial competition and encourage interested applicants to submit applications as early as possible. The deadline for applications is 23:59 (GMT) on Friday, January 31, 2020.