An AI approach to understanding how people enjoy food (SCI3044)

Area: Computer Science, AI, Computer Vision, Food and nutrition

Location: Nottingham, Jubilee campus/Sutton Bonington Campus. Placement at PepsiCo’s R&D centre (Leicester).

Closing Date: 17th October 2025

Reference 49281011

Supervisor: Prof. Andrew French (Computer Science/Biosciences)

Secondary Supervisors: Dr. Qian Yang (Biosciences), Dr. Zane Hartley (Computer Science), Dr. Stacie Tibos (Industrial supervisor at PepsiCo)

Subject Area: Computer Science, AI, Computer Vision, Food and nutrition

Research Title: An AI approach to understanding how people enjoy food

Research Description:

Feed the UK the nutritious food products it needs with Computer Vision!

Be a part of the UK’s journey to healthier, more accessible and economical foods that are nutrient rich, with the right number of calories, that consumers still enjoy. By developing novel, cutting-edge technological approaches including computer vision, machine learning and robotics, blended with consumer science, you will be at the forefront of developing state-of-the-art virtual approaches to understand how to design and formulate nutritious products that have a preferable texture. Texture is mysterious in many ways  . . . perceived through the veil of human perception – we would like you to help us unlock it using everything science and technology has to offer.  

In this PhD, you will primarily develop AI, computer vision approaches to analysing consumer experiences whilst enjoying snacks.  This will include developing techniques to track and understand position of the face and mouth in 3D, and potentially tie these metrics to associated robotic technologies. You will also be a part of evaluating these approaches in consumer studies at the University of Nottingham and PepsiCo, where we have teams who can lead such studies. This work will help us to develop new approaches to understanding how people enjoy snacks with different textures.  You will be based at the Computer Vision Lab (School of Computer Science, University of Nottingham), and will also have the opportunity for an industrial placement at PepsiCo’s R&D centre (Leicester).

The studentship has home fees covered, and comes with an uplifted stipend of £23,720 (subject to final confirmation). International fees are substantially higher (See https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/fees/tuitionfees/202425/postgraduate-research.aspx) and are not covered.

Award Start Date: 1st December 2025

Duration of Award: 4 years

Terms and Conditions:

Applicant Qualification Requirements: 2:1 or masters in computer science or another relevant area. English language (if applicable): IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each element) or accepted equivalent.

How to Apply: To apply please send a CV and 200 word statement of why you are suited to, and interested in, the PhD. Informal enquiries and applications welcome to andrew.p.french@nottingham.ac.uk 

Closing Date: 17th October 2025

Closing Date: 17 Oct 2025
Category: Studentships