Research

Current studentships

Agentic AI for autonomous task management

Deadline: 03/05/2026 5:00PM
Studentship code:
Staff name: Professor Annalisa Occhipinti
Research centre: Centre for Digital Innovation
Start date: Successful applicants will be expected to start October 2026.

This interdisciplinary PhD project offers an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of AI, software engineering, and multi-agent systems. The focus is on developing agentic AI frameworks capable of autonomously performing complex tasks across digital platforms, improving operational efficiency and decision-making in real-world software systems.

Supported by MCD Systems, a leading digital technology company specialising in bespoke software and AI solutions, the project will explore how autonomous agents, task orchestration algorithms, and distributed decision-making can be combined to enable AI systems that act semi-independently while remaining controllable and explainable. The project has three primary aims:

1. To design and implement multi-agent AI architectures capable of managing autonomous workflows across software applications.
2. To develop algorithms for planning, scheduling, and dynamic task allocation, enabling AI agents to prioritise and execute tasks efficiently in complex environments.
3. To collaborate with MCD Systems to integrate and evaluate agentic AI within real-world digital platforms, to support robustness, scalability, and applicability to diverse client needs.

You will gain expertise in reinforcement learning, distributed systems, multi-agent AI, planning algorithms, and software integration, with access to high-performance computing resources and real-world software platforms. MCD Systems’ involvement will provide industrial datasets, deployment environments, and applied challenges, offering a unique opportunity to advance agentic AI research and deliver high-impact, deployable solutions.

This PhD studentship is part of the Tees Valley Investment Zone. Teesside University is proud to lead the £19.86m research and innovation strand of the Tees Valley Investment Zone, a transformative programme designed to unlock the region’s potential in digital and creative industries. With £9.4m of TVCA investment and matched funding from university, government, and private sources, this initiative will deliver high-impact interventions including PhD studentships, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, innovation vouchers, innovation fellows, and proof of concept funding.

By embedding research talent into businesses, accelerating product development, and fostering collaboration between academia and industry, the programme will support over 300 companies, create thousands of high-value jobs, and position Tees Valley as a nationally recognised hub for innovation. This is a bold step toward building a self-sustaining, inclusive innovation ecosystem — driven by Teesside University’s commitment to regional growth, excellence in research, and real-world impact.
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Funding eligibility

This fully funded PhD Studentship covers tuition fees for the period of a full-time PhD Registration of up to four years and provide an annual tax-free stipend of £21,805 for three years, subject to satisfactory progress.

Applications are welcome from UK and international students.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a good honours degree (2:1 or above) in a relevant discipline.

A masters level qualification in a relevant discipline is desirable, but not essential, as well as a demonstrable understanding of the research area. Further details of the expected background may appear in the specific project details.

International students will be subject to the standard entry criteria relating to English language ability, ATAS clearance and, when relevant, UK visa requirements and procedures.

How to apply

Applicants should apply online for this opportunity using the Online Application (Funded PHD) application form. When asked to specify funding select "other" and enter 'RDS' and the title of the PhD project that you are applying for.

You should ensure that you clearly indicate that you are applying for a Funded Studentship and the title of the topic or project on the proposal that you will need to upload when applying.

To apply for more than one project, you need to complete a further application form and specify the relevant title for each application to a topic or project.

Applications for studentships that do not clearly indicate that the application is for a Funded Studentship and state the title of the project applied for on the proposal may mean that your application may not be considered for the appropriate funding.

Apply now

Selection process

All applications received by the closing date will be considered. Successful applicants at the application stage will be shortlisted and contacted to arrange an interview. All interviews will be held online. Unsuccessful applicants will be contacted to confirm that the application will not be progressed. After interview, all interviewed applicants will be contacted to be informed of the outcome. Successful applicants will progress to an offer of a place, to commence in October 2026.

About Teesside

We are committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive campus and to supporting all members of our University community to thrive whatever their age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, marital status, nationality or any other characteristic.
More about our Inclusive campus

As a Teesside University research student, you will join a growing and dynamic research community, allowing you to share your experiences, insight and inspiration with fellow researchers. You will benefit from our academic expertise and be supported through a strong programme of research training. You will be offered opportunities and support at each stage of your research degree. Our research is designed to have impact, and to influence policy and practice within our region, the UK and beyond. We work with external organisations to anticipate and respond to research needs, and to put our research into practice in sectors as diverse as the arts, engineering, healthcare and computing.

PhD students are encouraged to work with their supervisors to explore the potential impact of their work.

The successful candidate will be expected to participate fully in research group and centre activities, including training sessions and workshops, and will become a member of the University's wider postgraduate research community. Mentoring and support will be provided for the development of a strong academic and professional CV during the PhD.

Key dates

Deadline: 03/05/2026 5:00PM
Interview date: We envisage that interviews will take place from 21 May 2026.
Start date: Successful applicants will be expected to start October 2026.