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Deadline: 04 October 2026
Part TimeNorth West, All England
Artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities to make games more accessible and inclusive for everyone. This PhD project will explore how AI can support players with visual impairments by enhancing understanding, navigation, and interaction within game worlds. Potential areas include dynamic guidance systems, adaptive game content, and personalised accessibility features that respond to players’ needs in real time.
Based within the Games Science Lab at the Department of Computing and Mathematics, the project builds on our growing research in AI-enabled accessibility and adaptive game design. The successful candidate will work with an interdisciplinary supervisory team, benefiting from expertise in adaptive systems, accessibility and human-computer interaction, and artificial intelligence. The research will provide valuable experience in game development, user-centred design, accessibility research, and experimental evaluation.
The project offers access to specialist facilities, an established research community, and opportunities to collaborate with academics, industry partners, and users. As part of our supportive doctoral environment, the student will receive training, mentoring, and professional development opportunities that prepare them for careers in academia, industry, or research innovation. By helping remove barriers to play, this research has the potential to improve the gaming experiences and contribute to a more inclusive future for digital entertainment.
Objectives
This PhD project will explore how Artificial Intelligence can create adaptive accessibility solutions that make games more inclusive for players with diverse needs. The research aims to:
Applicants should hold, or expect to achieve, a First-Class or Upper Second-Class (2:1) degree in a computing-related discipline.
Essential
Desirable
These are doctoral teaching assistant positions that combine a PhD programme with a university teaching contract. Your time will be split approximately 60% on research and 40% on teaching. This provides excellent preparation for candidates considering an academic career at a university. The teaching component will typically run over the 22 teaching weeks per year and the 4 assessment weeks. You will help deliver an outstanding student experience by supporting lead academics with classroom and lab teaching and assessment, further building the skills developed within your PhD research programme.
The position is grade 6 with a current salary of £31,236 and includes payment of home PhD tuition fees for the duration of the 6-year award. Home students can apply. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
If you have any questions, contact the principal supervisor, Dr John Henry.
To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a part time PhD in Computing & Digital Technology.
Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form, and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest.
Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal or send them to the PGR Admissions team at [email protected].
Please quote the reference: SciEng-DTA Jan 2027-JH-Accessibility AI Games
Application link
Home students can apply. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
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