Applications are invited for three ESRC-funded multidisciplinary PhD studentships commencing autumn 2013 for projects on Digital Technologies and the City. These studentships have been awarded to the London Social Science Doctoral Training College (DTC), which is constituted by two colleges within the University of London: Queen Mary and Goldsmiths.
The studentships are for four years to allow training in both the social sciences and digital technology. Successful students will be located and supervised in either the School of Geography or the School of Business and Management at QMUL, depending on the project. They will also receive training and supervision through the Media and Arts Technology programme at QMUL, an EPSRC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training within the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science.
The studentships will explore how the social, cultural, political and economic lives of cities are being transformed through digital technologies. They will take a multidisciplinary approach that involves practical involvement in digital technologies alongside use of social science research methods and theory. Candidates are invited to propose a research project that relates to the roles of digital technologies in relation to one of the following themes: urban cultures, imaginations and practices; urban health, environments and natures; urban politics and organizing; social marketing and branding cities (for further details, see the link below).
Applicant specification Candidates are required to hold a first class or upper second class honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant discipline from the social sciences, arts, humanities or sciences. They are also normally expected to hold a Masters degree in a relevant field by October 2013. They must be able to demonstrate excellent creative, critical and analytic skills, and they must have programming experience or strong mathematical abilities.
The four-year awards cover tuition fees and an enhanced annual stipend (currently £17,726), with opportunities to apply for research and computer support. The usual ESRC eligibility rules apply, including UK residential requirements as detailed here: http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/guidance/postgraduates/prospective-students/eligibility/.
Research environment The ESRC-funded London Social Science DTC is constituted by internationally renowned social science schools from QMUL and Goldsmiths. The School of Geography and the School of Business and Management are leading research centres with large, lively and supportive graduate schools. The EPSRC-funded Media and Arts Technology Programme at QMUL aims to produce postgraduates who combine world-class technical and creative skills, and who have a unique vision of how digital technology transforms creative possibilities and social economies.
Application deadline The closing date is Tuesday 2 July at 4pm. Interviews will be held on Monday 15 July 2013, either face-to-face, or by skype or telephone in the case of overseas candidates. Applications must include a CV, two references, academic transcript, a research proposal of up to 1500 words, and a personal statement of up to one side of A4.
For further details and application process see: http://www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/admissions/phdadmissions/funded/100325.doc
Informal enquiries can be made to Dr David Pinder (d.pinder@qmul.ac.uk), Dr Alastair Owens (a.j.owens@qmul.ac.uk), Dr Yasmin Ibrahim (y.ibrahim@qmul.ac.uk) or Professor Patrick Healey (ph@eeecs.qmul.ac.uk)