MSCA Doctoral Graduate Research Assistant [DC4]

Job Description

About The Role

MSCA Doctoral Graduate Research Assistant [DC4]

The starting salary will be from £33,951 on Grade E, depending on knowledge, skills and experience.

This new full-time post is available to start between 1 August 2026 and 1 December 2026 on a fixed term basis for 36 months, based at our Streatham campus. The post must start by 1 December 2026.

The Role

Environment, Science and Economy

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Graduate Research Assistant (PhD studentship) as part the SAILING Doctoral Network, an EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie’s Actions (MSCA) initiative (part of the HORIZON-MSCA-2024-DN-01-01 call; Grant Agreement ID 101227573).

The SAILING Doctoral Network aims to train 12 next generation scientists in creating an intelligent and automated energy management system powered by secure AI and digital twin for the Internet-of-Energy (IoE). SAILING will carry out the project on an international and inter-sector scale via extensive collaboration and knowledge sharing. Individual projects within the SAILING programme map into five interrelated science objectives: 1) to create a high-fidelity IoE digital twin; 2) to develop secure AI techniques for IoE; 3) to design an intelligent and scalable IoE energy management strategy; 4) to develop agile IoE fault detection and accurate failure prediction methods; 5) to construct an intelligent energy optimisation system. SAILING combines excellent training for doctoral researchers, diverse supervisions and international mobility for impactful research to benefit society and the economy. SAILING aims to provide next generation scientists with skills and knowledge “most sought-after” in academic and non-academic employability sectors.

This vacancy notice is for the DC4 position only: Doctoral Graduate Research Assistant (PhD studentship) in blockchain-secured data sharing in IoE

This specific PhD project focuses on developing blockchain-enabled secure data sharing techniques for IoE to minimize malicious data tampering and destruction. The key objectives are to develop

• a holistic design of the blockchain architecture for IoE,
• a scalable blockchain system for IoE data sharing,
• and an efficient and fair consensus mechanism for IoE.

The post will include 2 separate secondments, about 3-months duration each, to other EU and Associated Country partners of the SAILING Doctoral Network for training and collaboration purposes.

About you

The successful applicant will be able to present research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information (orally, in writing and electronically), and contribute to proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will be educated to first degree level (or equivalent qualification/experience) in a relevant discipline (e.g., Computer Science, Communication Engineering, Electrical/Power Engineering, Energy Systems, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence) and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will be able to:

• Demonstrate strong quantitative and analytical skills and an ability to learn new methods quickly.
• Show interest in Computer Science/Internet-of-Energy/Cybersecurity/Artificial Intelligence and their data, modelling, and operational challenges.
• Develop and evaluate algorithmic solutions (e.g., machine learning, optimisation, statistical modelling, distributed systems), depending on project direction.
• Implement research prototypes and run reproducible experiments using programming and tooling.
• Work with datasets, including data preparation, experimental design, benchmarking, and reporting of results.
• Collaborate effectively with supervisors and partners, including contributing to network-wide training, secondments, and dissemination.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

Specific to SAILING MSCA PhD studentships:

• Full employment contract with competitive salary for three years.
• An additional supplementary allowance of ~£3300* per annum which attracts both NI and pension.
• Mobility allowance (~£5750*/year), and family allowance if applicable (~£4000*/year) adjusted for the cost of living in the host country (in this case UK). *Values subject to exchange rate when appointment is made.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities, laboratories and expert supervision.
• International secondments and training events and networking with 11 fellow PhD students from the SAILING MSCA Doctoral Network.

Further information

For further information please see our website SAILING Doctoral Network or contact Professor Geyong Min, e-mail [email protected]

About Us

Transform Your Career and Help Shape a Greener, Healthier, and Fairer Future

Join the University of Exeter, a top 200 Russel Group university (QS & THE World University Rankings 2025), excelling in teaching (triple Gold rating, TEF 2023) and leading groundbreaking research in the beautiful southwest of England.

We are committed to understanding different cultures and perspectives, supporting diverse leadership, and striving for social justice. We encourage applications from all groups underrepresented in our community, including racially minoritised individuals and those with disabilities. Our inclusive, merit based recruitment processes seek to embrace a diverse set of experiences to ensure colleagues feel supported equitably. With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 140 countries, we foster a culture where everyone can thrive.

You can read more about our current accreditations and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here, including our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.

What we can offer you:

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines;
• Support teams that understand the University wide teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly;
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development;
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supports high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career;
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy;
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon/Cornwall.

How we can help

If you are considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch with us at [email protected]. You can request reasonable adjustments within your application or by contacting us. You can also choose to be considered under our Disability Confident Scheme and find out here how this is managed during our recruitment and onboarding process.