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Funded PhD Opportunities

I am involved in two funded PhD opportunities for 2027 entry at the University of Sheffield, through the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Sound Futures.

Application Deadline: 11 January 2027, 10:00 GMT

How Do We Adapt When Listening Becomes Difficult?

Study how people change their behaviour during challenging conversations, and develop computational models of attention, listening effort and conversational success.

  • Project Supervisor: Prof Jon Barker
  • Partner: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories (MERL)
  • Project Reference: Sh.27.1
  • Mode of Attendance: Full-time only

Project details and how to apply

Sound and Music Processing in Dementia

Explore how people living with dementia experience sound and music, and investigate personalised audio technology to reduce sensory overwhelm and support social participation.

  • Project Supervisors: Dr Jennifer MacRitchie and Prof Jon Barker
  • Partner: Age UK Sheffield
  • Project Reference: Sh.27.6
  • Mode of Attendance: Full-time; eligible UK home-fees applicants may request consideration for part-time study

Project details and how to apply

Funding and Applications

Both opportunities offer four-year studentships covering tuition fees, a stipend and research training support. See the Sound Futures CDT application page for current funding details and instructions for submitting the personal details and project application forms. Applications are handled by the CDT through the University of Salford; both projects are based at Sheffield.

The previously advertised tinnitus notch noise therapy studentship closed to applications on 11 January 2026.