Location:
Computer Science, Streatham Campus, Exeter
The University of Exeter’s College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences is inviting applications for a fully-funded PhD studentship to commence on 26th September 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis with interviews expected to be within four weeks of receipt of application. Once a successful applicant has been appointed the project will be withdrawn and no further applications will be considered. You are advised to apply early as the application process will be competitive.
The studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £16,062 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. This studentship is open to UK and Irish nationals, who if successful in their application will receive a full studentship including payment of university tuition fees at the home fees rate.
Project Description:
Science of Science is an emerging interdisciplinary field that relies on Big Data to unveil the reproducible patterns that govern individual scientific careers and the workings of science. It looks at the structure and evolution of science through the complex interactions of scientific agents, projects, papers, and ideas, drawing from complex networks tools as well as from sociology of science. Understanding the factors behind successful science can enhance and develop our solutions for a broad range of environmental, societal, and technological problems.
This project will use a combination of network science, complex systems, and natural language processing tools, to study the lifecycle of scientific ideas. It will involve building networks of scientific concepts, working with databases of scientific publications (e.g. Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar). These concept networks will then be used to understand the evolution of scientific narratives as a self-organising multiscale network, emerging from the relationships built between concepts, methods, and their authors. Finally, we will use these networks to identify unexplored connections between branches of science, and identify highly-novel combinations of scientific ideas.
We anticipate that you will learn in a hands-on way about the varied techniques other areas of the project will be applying. You will be expected to present your findings at international workshops and conferences, and publish your discoveries in scientific journals.
An ideal applicant would be comfortable solving problems using a computing language like Python or R, as well as having a grounding in computer science or applied mathematics. We would however strongly encourage applications from highly capable and enthusiastic individuals with less obviously aligned educational backgrounds, as well as applicants with professional experience.
This award provides annual funding to cover Home tuition fees and a tax-free stipend. For students who pay Home tuition fees the award will cover the tuition fees in full, plus at least £16,062 per year tax-free stipend.
Entry requirements
Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology.
If English is not your first language you will need to meet the required level (Profile A: IELTS 6.0 overall and no less than 6.0 in any section) as per our guidance at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/pg-research/apply/english/
This studentship is open to UK and Irish nationals, who if successful in their application will receive a full studentship including payment of university tuition fees at the home fees rate. The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
How to apply
In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents.
• CV
• Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).
• Research proposal
• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)
• Names of two referees familiar with your academic work. You are not required to obtain references yourself. We will request references directly from your referees if you are shortlisted.
• If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English.
The closing date for applications is midnight on 4th September 2022.
Interviews will be held virtually / on the University of Exeter Streatham Campus in the week commencing 5th September 2022.
If you have any general enquiries about the application process please email [Email Address Removed] or phone 0300 555 60 60 (UK callers) +44 (0) 1392 723044 (EU/International callers)
Project-specific queries should be directed to the main supervisor Dr Massimo Stella - [Email Address Removed]
For further information and to submit an application please visit - https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=4504
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