Centre for Doctoral Training in Data Intensive Science

The STFC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Data Intensive Science (DIS) at UCL is welcoming applications from outstanding candidates for 4-year PhD studentships to undertake research in DIS topics, predominantly in Astrophysics and Particle Physics, to start in the academic year 2023/2024. The studentships comprise full UK/non-UK tuition fees and a tax-free maintenance allowance equivalent to the standard STFC studentships (£19,668pa in 22/23). They also come with significant additional funding for travel and equipment. The deadline for applications is 24th January 2023 for UK students. Please note that non-UK students must apply by 13th January 2023.

The UCL CDT in DIS was the first Centre of its kind funded by STFC. UCL has a long-standing tradition of excellence in data intensive science, with pioneering contributions and leading roles in many international projects in Particle Physics and Astronomy, as well as a strong culture of cross-disciplinary research and collaboration between academia and industry. The Centre builds on these strengths to train the next generation of data science leaders and, together with its industrial partners, will accelerate the development and application of pioneering data intensive science techniques that promise to offer great benefits to the UK and global economy and to enrich the STFC science programme.

Training and Research in the Centre

In their first year, students will benefit from a 150 hours of advanced training in data intensive science techniques, including a module on Machine Learning Techniques and an Industry Group Project, focusing on real-world DIS projects overseen by our Partners. This will be followed by the main thesis research project on a world-leading DIS experiment, with many students able to undertake a year-long placement at their experiment, for instance at CERN or Fermilab for the HEP stream.

Industry Placements

All students will undertake a 6-month placement project, entirely separate from their PhD project, at one of our 25+ industry partners, which will provide them opportunity to learn about the tools, techniques, datasets and challenges present in industry. As well as furthering the student's training, it will also allow them to use their training to solve real-world problems and promote knowledge-transfer between academia and industry.

How to Apply

We will be looking for candidates with an outstanding academic record (first-class or upper-second class honours primarily in Physics but we also welcome applications from Engineering, Computer Science or closely related subjects at UK undergraduate Masters level or equivalent) coupled with a broad outlook and a strong interest in Data Intensive Science. We particularly encourage applications from female students & students of ethnic minority backgrounds as these are currently underrepresented within the Physics industry.

Applicants should state in their application whether they are interested in a DIS research topic in Astrophysics, Particle Physics or another related DIS field. Inquiries can be addressed to the Centre’s PhD Admission Tutor, Dr Ingo Waldmann (dis-cdt-phd-admissions@live.ucl.ac.uk). The online application portal can be found at: www.ucl.ac.uk/data-intensive-science-cdt/study-here/how-apply

Available PhD Projects