- Our group sits at the boundary between Engineering and Computer Science. Formerly an Engineering research group, the DTG has strong roots into hands-on as well as theoretical research.
- Most of the projects get implemented in hardware and also tested in real-world environemts. You get to build your project and experience the unique challenges of that process, enabling you to become experienced in a wide range of disciplines.
- The DTG has always had strong links with the industry and has yielded many successful entrepreneurs. You will be able to interact with major industrial and research companies such as Google, Microsoft Research and Citrix, paving a secure path to a top industrial career, should you wish for one.
- There is an extremely fun and friendly research atmosphere in the DTG. One has to experience it in order to appreciate it. You are among some of the pioneers of the computing era and the wide expertise of the DTG members (e.g. theory, systems, hardware design and implementation, software programming etc.), means it is highly unlikely that you will get stuck during your research. More importantly, it provides a higly stimulating and exceptional learning environment.
- You have a large amount of freedom regarding your project. That does not mean you do not receive help upon hitting difficulties or that you do not get to work in a team (quite the contrary). Having much control over your project however will help you derive great intellectual abilities and has tremendous benefits, most which ultimately translate into a high self-confidence and a vast experience.
- We have a very well equipped hardware lab -- from discrete components and soldering equipment to highly professional measurement tools and extremely helpful and friendly computing officers -- that are available to you during your research. Besides all the goodies, our coffee is also free!
The application procedure is standardised by the University. Make sure you first read the University's pages on graduate applications as all general steps are covered there in great detail. Don't forget then to check the department's pages regarding admissions for specific details about applying to the Computer Lab.
Prior to making any formal application, take the time and contact a prospective senior member of our group that can supervise you, and present them with your research plan and motivation (email contact is fine, but please don't send large attachments detailing your life history in the first instance!). They will be able to provide you with more information about how to improve your application and chances of being accepted. Don't worry too much about coming up with a great idea before you contact us - the initial stages are about establishing why the DTG might interest you and whether you might be a suitable candidate.
You should first familiarize yourself with the group by reading the information available about our research (also see the wiki) and the member's homepages. Keep in mind though that only the senior members may supervise you for a PhD so make sure you get in contact with them before applying (hint: many of the current PhD students' pages contain information about their supervisor identity).