Funded research projects

Project Title: Embodied Approaches to Participatory Audi-Haptic Composition

PhD Studentship: R-LINCS2 funded. The Studentship is available for an October 2025 start.

A PhD studentship that comprises tax-free stipend of £20,870 (increasing in line with UKRI per annum), tuition fees paid, and a generous study package (e.g., limited research consumables, travel budget, and training when appropriate) each year for 3 years. The studentship is fully funded for 3 years. An extension of funding for a further 6 months is available, contingent upon the candidate completing 70 hours of teaching per year during the initial 3 years.

The pan-University Graduate School offers an integrated training programme to the postgraduate community within a single centre, serving to inculcate interdisciplinary working in our next generation of researchers.

Interviews are likely to be online in July.

Project Description:

This research explores the use of haptic technology to enhance corporeal interaction between composers and dancers in participatory audio composition. The study investigates how full-body motion can be mediated through technology to create immersive artistic experiences. The Teslasuit, a wearable haptic system, has been tested in previous studies and presents opportunities for multi-user interaction, though limitations in real-time functionality and the restricted availability of suit sizes, which limits accessibility for diverse body types, remain. This project aims to address these challenges by developing a robust haptic system that facilitates real-time communication between participants and movement-based sound composition. The findings will contribute to the fields of performance studies and digital arts, expanding the possibilities of games technology-mediated creative expression.

This PhD studentship will focus on embodied approaches to participatory and playful audio composition using wearable haptic technology to incorporate full-body movement and real-time communication between participants. Through this research, the candidate will develop a practice-based art portfolio along with a thesis. The research will aim to create technical and artistic works:

• To investigate how haptic sensing can enhance corporeal involvement with sound and movement.
• To explore and expand effective ways to utilise the current wearable haptic technology we have at Abertay (Teslasuit) with the built-in mocap system for multi-users.
• To prototype a robust haptic system or environment using other haptic technology to enable real-time communication between composers and dancers.

This interdisciplinary research will engage closely with dancers to explore how full-body movement can be mediated through technology in artistic contexts. By advancing haptic technology within the performing arts, this study seeks to bridge the gap between composers and dancers, pushing the boundaries of interactive performance. Although current haptic technologies lack real-time functionality, this limitation presents an opportunity for innovation in both artistic expression and technological development. The proposed real-time haptic system is expected to contribute to high-impact academic publications and attract funding opportunities, further expanding research in this field. Additionally, by enhancing accessibility, this system has the potential to facilitate wider audience interactions, making immersive haptic experiences more inclusive and engaging beyond performers. Through collaboration between technology, dance, and composition, this research aspires to create a novel, immersive, and participatory artistic experience that redefines the relationship between embodied performance and digital interaction.

Supervisory Team: The candidate will be supervised by Dr Jung In Jung, Dr Martin Zeilinger, and Dr Naman Merchant. Queries on this project should be directed to Dr Jung In Jung (j.jung@abertay.ac.uk).

External advisors:

Carla Andolina, Founder & CMO of CHRONES. SRL

Entry Requirements: Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, a first class or upper second-class honours degree, or a closely aligned discipline. We are looking for an independent, enthusiastic, and creatively minded candidate with an understanding of interactive system for sound art and performance. Applicants should have experience in prototyping interactive system using external devices using software like Max/MSP, Arduino, or similar programs. The successful candidate will have to have some experience of motion tracking devices and built a portfolio as an art practitioner.   

For applicants who are non-native speakers of English, the University requires IELTS of 7.0 (with no band less than 6.5) or an equivalent qualification accepted by the Home Office.

Applications and closing date: 30/06/2025

To apply visit Abertay Jobs.

Project Title: Enabling People to Identify Deepfakes

PhD Studentship Funded by the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR) and Abertay University. The Studentship is available for an October 2025 start.

This PhD studentship comprises a tax-free stipend of £20,780 (increasing in line with UKRI per annum) per year over 3 years, tuition fees paid, and a generous study package (e.g., limited research consumables, travel budget, and relevant training). 

The studentship is supported by both SIPR and the Abertay cyberQuarter within the Faculty of Design, Informatics and Business. In addition, the pan-University Graduate School offers an integrated training programme to the postgraduate community within a single centre, serving to promote interdisciplinary work in our next generation of researchers. Training sessions include research design, data analysis, academic paper and grant writing, and thesis and viva preparation.

Project Description: Deepfakes, i.e., realistic AI-generated images, videos or audio of people doing and/or saying fictional things, may be used to present misinformation, to manipulate or harass, or to persuade people to act, benefitting a bad actor at the significant detriment to individuals, communities and organisations.

The overarching aim of this work is to improve and investigate how people identify deepfakes from genuine online media with the intent to create training material to support identification of such deepfakes. Using a mixed-method methodology and eye-tracking technology, we will investigate whether people can reliably identify deepfakes (face images and video clips), what information they attend to when making decisions regarding the veracity of online material, the effect of user characteristics and context of deepfake identification, and whether training can improve the reliability of the identification process.

Key Deliverables:

• Designing empirical eye tracking studies to explore user characteristics, such as deepfake classification expertise and cognitive approach.
• Developing a training programme to facilitate the detection of deepfakes.
• Production of written and verbal reports and presentations for cross-discipline academic and non-academic audiences.

It is anticipated that the output of this research will be of widespread and significant benefit to individuals, society and government bodies, leading to improved cybersecurity and preventing fraud. The theoretical underpinning and novelty of the research will contribute to the academic fields of data science, computing, psychology and cybersecurity. Research findings will be disseminated to both academic and public audiences, building both theoretical advances and real-world impact.

Supervisory Team: The candidate will be supervised within the Department of Cybersecurity and Computing by an inter-disciplinary team led by Dr Andrea Szymkowiak. Queries on this project should be directed to Dr Szymkowiak at a.szymkowiak@abertay.ac.uk.

Entry Requirements: Candidates must have, or are expected to obtain, a first class or upper second-class Honors degree in Psychology, Computing or other related subject area. We are looking for an independent, enthusiastic, and driven candidate with an excellent understanding of research methods and statistics. Applicants should have experience in scripting or setting up empirical (psychological) studies (e.g., designing and running experiments) and an interest or experience using eye tracking technology.  

Candidates must work well with others and represent the university when working with key stakeholders (e.g., Academia, Police, cyberQuarter, SIPR).

For applicants who are non-native speakers of English, the University requires IELTS of 7.0 (with no band less than 6.5) or an equivalent qualification accepted by the Home Office.

Applications and closing date: 30 June 2025

To apply visit Abertay Jobs.

Project Title: Environmental chemical exposure and metabolic disease: Exploring risk evaluation and perception

PhD Studentship 

R-LINCS2 funded. The Studentship is available for an October 2025 start.

A PhD studentship that comprises tax-free stipend of £20,870 (increasing in line with UKRI per annum), tuition fees paid, and a generous study package (e.g., limited research consumables, travel budget, and training when appropriate) each year for 3 years. The studentship is fully funded for 3 years. An extension of funding for a further 6 months is available, contingent upon the candidate completing 70 hours of teaching per year during the initial 3 years.

The pan-University Graduate School offers an integrated training programme to the postgraduate community within a single centre, serving to promote  interdisciplinary working in our next generation of researchers. 

Interviews are likely to be online in early August 2025   

Project Description: Humans are exposed to a bewildering array of synthetic chemicals, often with unknown biological effects, breakdown products and environmental fates. Epidemiological studies have linked the incidence and prevalence of obesity, elevated cholesterol, fatty liver and type 2 diabetes with the levels of such chemicals or their breakdown products in blood or urine. Experimental data support some of the population level information, providing plausible mechanisms that can tie exposure to metabolic disease. The ability to assess risk of disease from exposure depends on the extent and nature of the knowledge that exists about those risks.  People in positions of socio-political power and knowledge, including politicians, scientists, journalists, and those in the legal and financial sectors, and chemical companies themselves, shape the narrative around defining risk.  Individuals at risk of chemical exposure and of developing metabolic diseases, and the health professionals who advise on or provide delivery of their care, may have differing awareness of risks, access to information about the risks posed by chemical exposure and differing perceptions on the level of such risk. The proposed project explores the way concepts of risk are developed, maintained and disseminated in different contexts, bringing together and exploring the connections between the ostensibly objective evidence base from a scientific perspective, and the perceptions of people with metabolic disease and those responsible for advising on their care. The project aims to provide tangible advice on those aspects of greatest concern.

This project is supported by colleagues from biomedical science, environmental toxicology, nursing and sociology to address important questions in public health.

Key project aims:

(1). Determine which chemical exposures present the greatest risk for development of metabolic disease. Using knowledge synthesis methods to evaluate existing evidence, including an umbrella review, evidence evaluation and risk map based on existing epidemiological literature

(2). Understand how people living with diabetes and their healthcare practitioners perceive and respond risk from chemical exposure: Use community based participatory research (CBPR) to explore how these different groups discursively construct their understanding of risks of chemical exposure and the extent to which these social and scientific rationalities connect with each other to inform everyday practices.

(3). Establish what evidence-based advice on managing chemical exposures is required to benefit patient outcomes. Identify misalignment and shared features of the scientific evidence base and the perceived risks and knowledge sources from the community groups

It is anticipated that this research will involve co-creation of advice, guidelines and policy engagement initiatives about chemical exposure with people living with diabetes and the healthcare professionals involved in their care. The project would involve running focus groups and workshops for participants, and growing community engagement in this research area as well as disseminating findings to academics, health care porfesssionals and policy makers in a range of written and spoken formats. The studentship will therefore provide excellent experience for the student as well as increasing the impact of their research. The theoretical underpinning and novelty of the project will contribute important insights into metabolic health and disease research and to the academic disciplines of public health and environmental sociology.

Supervisory Team:

• Dr Kimberley Bennett, Department of Built and Life Sciences
• Dr Tabeth Timba-Emmanuel, Department of health Sport and Wellbeing
• Prof James Moir (Department of Social and Psychological Sciences). 

Queries on this project should be directed to Dr. Kimberley Bennett (k.bennett@abertay.ac.uk).

Entry Requirements: Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, a first class or upper second-class honours degree in a health sciences field, or a closely aligned discipline. We are looking for an independent, enthusiastic, and highly motivated candidate with an understanding of knowledge synthesis or social sciences research methods in a healthcare context. Applicants should have experience in designing, running and analysing systematic reviews and metanalyses, or in qualitative research, such as focus groups or interviews. Applicants should be confident in numeracy and statistics. Experience with statistical software, such as R, or thematic analysis is an advantage.

Candidates must work well with others and represent the university when working with key stakeholders (e.g., patient groups, NHS and clinicians).

For applicants who are non-native speakers of English, the University requires IELTS of 7.0 (with no band less than 6.5) or an equivalent qualification accepted by the Home Office.

Applications and closing date: 27 June 2025

To apply visit Abertay Jobs.

Project Title: Inclusive Competition: Towards an Improved Understanding of Competitive Videogame Playing for the Visually Impaired. 

PhD Studentship 

R-LINCS2 funded. The Studentship is available for an October 2025 start.

A PhD studentship that comprises tax-free stipend of £20,870 (increasing in line with UKRI per annum), tuition fees paid, and a generous study package (e.g., limited research consumables, travel budget, and training when appropriate) each year for 3 years. The studentship is fully funded for 3 years. An extension of funding for a further 6 months is available, contingent upon the candidate completing 70 hours of teaching per year during the initial 3 years.

The pan-University Graduate School offers an integrated training programme to the postgraduate community within a single centre, serving to inculcate interdisciplinary working in our next generation of researchers.

Interviews are likely to be online in July.

Project Overview: This PhD project aims to investigate and develop solutions to enhance the accessibility of competitive video games for visually impaired players. Current adaptive modifications in gaming are often insufficient or can be exploited, compromising the fairness essential to competitive play. This research will explore the creation of inclusive competitive gaming experiences by analysing player skill with modified game conditions, co-designed with visually impaired players and supported by the RNIB. Eye-tracking technology will be utilized to understand how these modifications affect visual perception and to inform design choices. A key aspect of the project will also be to examine how players access these modified conditions, ensuring that systems designed to create a level playing field are not used to gain an unfair advantage. The goal is to produce recommendations and implementation details for game modifications that promote broader acceptance of accessibility tools in competitive gaming, fostering truly equitable experiences. The candidate is expected to develop the gameplay, carry out user testing and write up evaluations for publication.

Core Objectives:

1. Investigate, develop, and evaluate accessibility solutions: This involves creating and testing game augmentations and modifications specifically designed for visually impaired players in competitive video game environments.  
2. Address technical and attitudinal barriers: The project will not only focus on the technical implementation of accessibility features but also examine and aim to overcome negative player attitudes towards asymmetric experiences and accessibility tools in competitive gaming.  
3. Promote equitable and inclusive gameplay: The research seeks to establish how to create fair and enjoyable competitive gaming experiences for all players, with a particular focus on those with visual impairments, by developing robust and fair accessibility systems.

Supervisory Team:

• Dr William Kavanagh, Lecturer in Games Technology and Mathematics
• Dr Hailey Austin, Lecturer in Games and Arts
• Dr Lynsay Shepherd, Reader in Cybersecurity and Human-Computer Interaction
• Dr George Lovell, Senior Lecturer in Psychology

Entry Requirements: Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, a first class or upper second-class honours degree in a relevant discipline. Applicants should have experience in research of this nature, including experimental design and statistical analysis as well as demonstrable software engineering skills. We are looking for an independent, enthusiastic, and driven candidate with a passion for games development and inclusivity.

For applicants who are non-native speakers of English, the University requires IELTS of 7.0 (with no band less than 6.5) or an equivalent qualification accepted by the Home Office.

Application Closing Date: 10 June 2025

To apply visit Abertay Jobs.

• Project Title: BARIToNE: Towards climate-Positive barley: Developing Model-Based Approaches to Identify Pathways and Evidence Benefits (PROTECT)

• Project Title: Trauma and Technology: Identifying Best Practice for Video-Recorded Interviews (VRIs) with Victims of Sexual Crimes

• Project Title: Privacy-Preserving for Machine Learning for Next-Generation IoT (NG-IoT) Security. 

• Project Title: Towards Machine Understanding of Human Languages: AI for Storytelling Across Languages

• Project Title: 5G & Edge computing technologies to unlock compelling immersive multiuser experiences for mobile XR applications

• Project Title: Bridging the gap between Virtual & Physical Film & Television Production: Virtual Production and Real-Time pipelines in the studio environment.

• Project Title: When an Adult with Learning Disability Goes Missing: A mixed methods study to inform prevention and response

• Privacy-Preserving Machine Learning for Next-Generation IoT (NG-IoT) Security

• Helpful and unhelpful aspects of therapy following spiritually transformative experiences

• Gateway to esports: Enhancing access and retention for casual audiences in competitive video games

• Open your MIND: Leveraging the ecological validity of language control research using immersive technologies

• Quantifying organic carbon losses in soils through natural processes and land management practises

• Revolutionising Heritage Conservation through AI-Powered Analysis of Timber Beam-Column Connections

• Project Title: 5G & Edge computing technologies to unlock compelling immersive multiuser experiences for mobile XR applications

• Project Title: Towards Machine Understanding of Human Languages: AI for Storytelling Across Languages

• Project Title: Reframing the 'social' in social return on investment: constructing more meaningful monitoring and evaluation in football, development and beyond. 

• Project Title: Active transport of Gold-coated iron oxide superparamagnetic nanoparticles: A universal delivery vehicle.

• PhD Research Studentship: BARIToNE Project 9 - towards climate-positive cropping: developing model-based approaches to identify pathways, and evidence benefits.

• PhD Research Studentship: Reframing the ‘social’ in social return on investment: constructing more meaningful monitoring and evaluation in sport for development and beyond.

• PhD Research Studentship 5G Edge- XR for unlocking compelling immersive experiences

• PhD Research Studentship: Investigating the impact of police communications and initiatives on public perceptions of progress in enhancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: A case of Police Scotland

• PhD Research Studentship: How, when and where can preconception interventions be utilised in Scotland

• PhD Research Studentship: Co-creating Performance and Play: Supporting community cohesion and well-being through mixed-media co-production

• Masters by Research (MbR) with technical work experience.

• PhD Studentship: Towards climate-positive barley: developing model-based approaches to identify pathways and evidence benefits

• PhD Research Studentship: Investigating the potential of Extended Reality for alternative understandings of forced migration and devastated Middle Eastern Cultural Heritage Sites.

• PhD Research Studentship: Using avatars in investigative interviews with children.

• PhD Research Studentship: How do we best teach our children to be cyber secure?

• PhD Research Studentship: Machine learning to determine soil properties: a smartphone-based solution for stakeholders

• RLINCS PhD studentship: The effect of different types of omega-3 fatty acids on exercise capacity in the elderly

• RLINCS PhD studentship: Using Affective Computing to Create an Emotional Bond between Users and Virtual Agents for Enhanced Social Interaction

• R-LINCS PhD Studentship: Using VR to Investigate the Visual Features that Determine the Effectiveness of Disruptive Camouflage

• R-LINCS PhD Studentship: Eco-grief and community experiences of changing water practices in Malawi

• PhD Studentship: Seals as sentinels of antimicrobial resistance: mapping antimicrobial resistance genes in UK waters

• PhD Studentships: A 4D Virtual Tumour for Cancer Ecology.

• RLINCS PhD Research Studentships: Investigating the Chemistry of a Cold Smoking Process and its Impacts on Food Safety and Quality; Deep Learning Intrusion Detection System for the Internet of Things; Characterising fat tissue structure and function in grey seals, an animal model of extreme fat deposition and mobilisation, using novel in vivo and in vitro approaches; Applying the self-reference effect to improve children’s mathematical problem solving; Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury in female athletes.

• Master by Research Studentships in Mental Health Nursing: Various areas of research focus will be considered. 

• Master by Research Studentship: Developing a successful food new product development tool linking effective testing (using facial electromyography) with sensory attribute selection

• PhD Research Studentship: Exploiting yeast diversity in whisky fermentations for biocatalysis of desirable flavour compounds. 

• PhD Research Studentship: Evaluating the effect of plant species on soil carbonation flux

• PhD Research Studentship: Fluid-aerosol modelling of cloud evolution in substellar atmospheres (R-LINCS)

• Master by Research Studentship: Developing a successful food new product development tool linking effective testing (using facial electromyography) with sensory attribute selection

• MSc Research Studentship: Utilising crushed dolerite columns to stabilise unstable substrates using microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP): coupling ground improvement and climate mitigation - laboratory approach 

• Games and Media Facilitated e-Learning 

• Developing a successful new food product development, tool linking effective testing (using facial electromyography) with sensory attribute selection

• A generic framework for atmospheric fluid-aerosol modelling with applications in astrophysics, computer games and environment

• Utilising crushed dolerite columns to stabilise unstable substrates using microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP): coupling ground improvement and climate mitigation – numerical modelling approach

•  Exploring self-reference effects in children with ADHD

• Application of focused 'omics' approaches to the study of biological phenomena implicated in musculoskeletal ageing. (R-LINCS)

• CLOSED - Modelling of multiphase flow in deformable agricultural soils (Hosted at Abertay University for Tayside Centre for Geotechnical Engineering in Natural Environments)

• Development of Effective Guidelines and Communication Tools for the Protection of Rural Private Water Supplies from Sources of Pollution 

• Detection, analysis and clinical application of spermatozoa biochemical profile using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). (R-LINCS)

• Multiple missing: an exploration of behavioural consistency in repeat missing adults. (R-LINCS)

• Application of focused 'omics' approaches to the study of biological phenomena implicated in musculoskeletal ageing. (R-LINCS)

• Connecting Performance and Play: interdisciplinary design methods for the development of games and performance – ARCS/ SGSAH  studentship (Abertay University, National Theatre of Scotland and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland)

• Investigation into and Development of Processes for the Enhancement of Safety and Shelf Life of Fresh Produce. (R-LINCS and James Hutton Institute)

• Ecology at play: An exploration of natural data through game design. (IW Stewart PhD Studentship) 

• Developing of 4D Imaging Methods to Quantify Soil Structural Dynamics with applications to Soil Science and Environmental Engineering. (R-LINCS)

• Addressing the Fundamental Problems of Cyber-Security through Anti-Patterns. (R-LINCS)

• Interaction between emotion and communication. (R-LINCS)

• Investigating structural synaptic plasticity as a novel therapeutic target for functional recovery from spinal cord injury. (R-LINCS)

• Securing cyberspace: Development and validation of a novel research and evaluation toolset. (R-LINCS)

• The Social and Organisational Construction of Ethical Hacking. (R-LINCS)

• A systematic study of the effect of ultrasound on food enzymes and bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds (model and real food systems). (R-LINCS)

• Assisting Digital Forensic Reconstruction via Exploratory Information Visualisation. (SICSCA)

• Exploring the Role of Monitoring Agents and Affective Feedback in Enhancing Cyber Security for Average Users. (SICSCA)

• Games Design, a new Approach for a New Industry. (ESRC)

• Design and Action. (AHRC)

• Exploring Interactive Design Engineering Methodologies. (AHRC)

• Investigation of the performance of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) on the Scottish Trunk Road Network (STRN). (BEAR)

• Factors controlling root growth in heterogeneous substrates: physical structures and root behaviour. (R-LINCS in partnership with James Hutton Institute)

• When do dialects become languages? (Leverhulme)

• Computer and Web Enabled Food Product Evaluation. (MacPhie of Glenbervie Ltd)

• Customer Honesty in Self-Service Interactions. (R-LINCS)

• Nano-and bio-technologies for food science and technology. (SORSAS)

• Role of Second Generation Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor(s) and Adenosine-Triphosphate on Human Sperm Motility. (SORSAS)

• Influence of soil structure on the spatial and temporal distribution of bacteria in soil. (SORSAS)

• Ecosystem service goods and benefits accruing from sustainable approaches to urban water management (SORSAS)

• Understanding Early Intervention: A Case Study of Dundee (SIPR)

• MPhil Research Studentship, 2 years: Project Title: Games and Media Facilitated e-Learning

• PhD Research Studentship: Mapping for Social Innovation

• MPhil Studentship: Development and validation of sequencing and bioinformatics methodologies to identify pathogenic mutations in candidate male infertility genes.

• PhD Studentship: Parental Involvement in Sport: Improving the Quality of Children’s Sport Experiences and Wellbeing

• PhD Studentship: Co-Design Mapping for Social Innovation Project.

• PhD Studentship: Enhancing Scotland’s resilience to climate change.

• PhD Studentship: Active transport of Gold-coated iron oxide superparamagnetic nanoparticles: A universal delivery vehicle.

• PhD Studentship: BARIToNE CTP - Towards climate-Positive barley: developing model-based approaches to identify pathways and evidence benefits (PROTECT)

• Project Title: Trauma and Justice: Advancing Investigative Interviews with the Trauma-Informed Cognitive Interview (TICI).