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  Economics and Computational Analysis of Causal Inference


   Department of Computer Science

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  Dr Jie Zhang  Applications accepted all year round  Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

About the Project

This project aims to uncover the connections between economics and computational analysis in order to gain a deeper understanding of how things like economic policies and changes impact our lives. In today's world, we have access to a vast amount of data and powerful computers, and this project seeks to harness these resources to untangle the cause-and-effect relationships that drive economic trends and policy decisions. By combining different techniques from statistics, machine learning, and economic modeling, we hope to shed light on important economic questions, ultimately enabling smarter and more effective policy choices.

However, this research presents its share of challenges. One of the main difficulties is accurately pinpointing why certain economic events happen in complex economic systems. Sometimes, the data we use can be tricky or even manipulated, which means we need to come up with new ways to analyze it and ensure our findings are trustworthy. Handling large datasets and complex computer models is another hurdle, especially when dealing with simulations of economic situations. Striking the right balance between model complexity and computational feasibility is crucial. Lastly, we must also consider the ethical and fairness aspects of our research. It's important that our findings benefit everyone and don't cause harm. By tackling these challenges, we can contribute to making more informed decisions that benefit us all.

Candidate Requirements:

Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class (or the equivalent). A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.

Non-UK applicants must meet our English language entry requirement.

Enquiries and Applications:

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to Dr Jie Zhang on email address [Email Address Removed]. The applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the lead supervisor before applying. 

Formal applications should be submitted via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Computer Science

More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website.

Funding Eligibility:

To be eligible for funding, you must qualify as a Home student. The eligibility criteria for Home fee status are detailed and too complex to be summarised here in full; however, as a general guide, the following applicants will normally qualify subject to meeting residency requirements: UK and Irish nationals (living in the UK or EEA/Switzerland), those with Indefinite Leave to Remain and EU nationals with pre-settled or settled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Additional information may be found on our fee status guidance webpage, on the GOV.UK website and on the UKCISA website.

Exceptional Overseas students (e.g. with a UK Master’s Distinction or international equivalent and relevant research experience), who are interested in this project, should contact the lead supervisor in the first instance to discuss the possibility of applying for supplementary funding.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups.

If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.


Computer Science (8) Mathematics (25)

Funding Notes

A studentship includes Home tuition fees, a stipend (£17,668 per annum, 2022/23 rate) and research/training expenses (£1,000 per annum) for up to 3.5 years. Eligibility criteria apply – see Funding Eligibility section above.

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