Funding

Funded (UK students only)

Project code

CCJ50820226

Start dates

October 2026

Application deadline

27 February 2026

Applications are invited for a fully-funded 3.5 year PhD to commence in October 2026.

The University of Portsmouth (UoP) and Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Western Australia have established a Dual Award PhD Programme that brings together the research strengths of both institutions. This programme allows you to pursue doctoral studies while benefiting from the expertise, facilities, and support services of two innovative universities. You’ll gain valuable international research experience and graduate with a truly global perspective.

  • You’ll register for and, if successful, receive a PhD from both universities.
  • You’ll be jointly supervised and have access to the research expertise, infrastructure, and support services of both universities.
  • You’ll begin your studies in your ‘home’ institution, where your first supervisor will be based, but will spend a minimum of 12 months abroad in your ‘host’ institution, where your second supervisor will be based.

The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (UoP) and School of Science (ECU), and will be supervised by Dr Vasileios Karagiannopoulos (UoP), Professor Helge Janicke (ECU), Dr Chadni Islam (ECU), and Dr John Akerele (UoP).

Candidates applying for this project will be eligible to compete for a fully-funded PhD bursary. Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for 3.5 years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26). Bursary recipients will also receive a £1,500 p.a. research allowance for project costs/consumables. 

This project also includes placement expenses of up to £3000*, to contribute to the bursary holder’s travel/visa/health insurance costs during their 12 months abroad. (*Dependents’ costs are not covered.)

This funded PhD is only open to new, UK Home students who do not hold a previous doctoral level qualification.

The work on this project could involve:

  • Working with experienced researchers across the UK and Australia to explore the use of VR technologies by large businesses and the relevant security risks and associated implementation challenges.  
  • Conducting cutting edge research on a novel topic relating to corporate businesses implementation practices around VR and identifying relevant risks and security challenges. 
  • Providing a harmonised framework across both regions in relation to effectively and efficiently adopting VR technologies in corporate environments and influencing policy in a new and exciting transdisciplinary field of study. 
 

 

The project will explore and map the adoption and practical implementation of VR technologies and digital twins in corporate businesses across the UK and Australia. The research will focus on identifying current and upcoming challenges around VR implementation by corporations and offer policy and practice recommendations through researcher engagement with relevant stakeholders and businesses implementing such technologies as part of their business development. The project will be valuable in terms of providing comparative analysis and respective insights in an area that is meant to increasingly impact the global economy and users, yet is still in early developmental stages requiring a more in-depth understanding. Moreover, the work across both regions with insiders and experts will assist in offering a more in-depth understanding of implementation challenges and also in developing more harmonised approaches, rationales and recommendations distilled from both jurisdictions with a potential to inform best policy and practice across the world.    
 

 

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or
qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

  • Candidates will need to have some level of familiarity with cybercrime and cybersecurity-related topics. 
  • Candidates should ideally also have an awareness of VR technologies and in particular in the business sector.  
  • Experience from working in a corporate environment or a cybersecurity team will be beneficial 

As this is a dual award with Edith Cowan University, you must be committed to spending 12 months of the programme based in Perth, Australia. This time abroad is a core part of the project that allows you to work with a specialised team in a different regulatory environment. 

 

 

 

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Vasileios Karagiannopoulos (vasileios.karagiannopoulos@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, you can use our online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV. Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code CCJ50820226 when applying. Please note that email applications are not accepted.