EUTOPIA Cotutelle Scholarship

CY Cergy Paris Université and University of Warwick

Qualification: Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (PhD)

Eligibility: UK Students, EU Students, International Students

Funding amount: Please see advert for details

Deadline: 17 September 2025

Start date: Cergy 01 December 2025, Warwick 12 January 2026

The EUTOPIA PhD co-tutelle program supports high-quality PhD projects in all research areas co-supervised by academics of the EUTOPIA member universities. It offers PhD fellowships for 3 to 4 years, depending on the length of doctoral studies in the partner universities. It is expected to lead to high-quality research projects with global impact, providing exciting research opportunities for PhD or doctoral candidates. This co-tutelle has CY Cergy Paris as the home institution, and Warwick as the host institution.

Project Title:

A holistic assessment and assistive robotic system for neurodegenerative disorders (HERO)

Research area and project description:

This PhD project aims to develop a holistic assessment and assistive robotic system for neurodegenerative disorders that supports, at the same time, AI-facilitated assessment for early diagnosis, assistance for prevention/treatment, and the emotional well-being of the patients, and to carry out initial studies to assess the feasibility of using the system in health services (NHS). Our objective is to improve the monitoring of ND patients, enhancing their well-being and their connection with doctors by leveraging data and providing robotics/AI-based support, leading to more effective, efficient, and patient-centred care.

Neurological disorders (NDs) are the leading cause of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and the second leading cause of deaths worldwide. Global prevalence rates for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease (AD, PD), the two most prevalent NDs and strongly correlated with the ageing process, are extremely high, with an estimated 43.8 million and 6.1 million people affected, respectively. Deriving from their prevalence and complex care needs, NDs represent a significant social and economic burden on health services, which is projected to significantly increase globally. Currently, there is no cure for NDs; however, effective diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment can help delay and manage, in the short and long term, some of these symptoms.

This project will combine methods from biomedical engineering health assessment and cognitive social and assistive robotics, building on previous work by both PIs: (1) A neurodegeneration screening and monitoring prototype, developed as a MEng project (DP, UOW), which this project would further develop and validate, employs a comprehensive approach to provide holistic assessment of populations at risk or diagnosed with ND. (2) Work on robot companions (LC, CYU) to support the treatment and psychological well-being of patients.

Scholarship:

The EUTOPIA Co-Tutelle Award includes payment of full academic fees.

The annual stipend will be paid in line with UKRI ratesLink opens in a new window and is payable in advance in twelve monthly instalments, and within the French guidelines for studentships.

Eligibility:

The candidate should have a good 2.1 Bachelors or Masters degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related disciplines. You must have AI/robotics knowledge, excellent programming skills (C, C++, Python), and good English communication. You must be a motivated team player with a structured approach to research. Experience with robotics, embodied AI, or medical devices is a plus.

How to apply:

Candidates should submit an expression of interest by sending:

1) A motivation letter explaining your interest in the topic and why you think you are qualified to carry out this research.

2) Academic transcripts for both Undergraduate and Master degrees, providing details of subjects taken, grades obtained, and ranking if available.

3) CV / Resume

4 ) Two references from an academic and/or a line manager (or the contact details of two referees if the letters cannot be obtained before applying; however, joining the letters to the application is strongly preferred).

Documents to be sent to https://www.warwick.ac.uk/engineeringscholarships/dp/appcv. If this initial application is successful, we will invite you to submit a formal application. All candidates must fulfil the CY Cergy and University of Warwick entry criteria and obtain an unconditional offer before commencing enrolment.