Individualized data access agreements

A fully-funded 4-year PhD studentship on enabling individualized data access agreements, at the University of Southampton, a top university for Computer Science in the UK and worldwide.

Within the medical arena, individuals are currently able to consent to the usage of their data in very coarse ways. E.g. “share with this physician group”, or “for this research study”. Individuals currently have very little choice or management as to what types of information is exposed. For instance, they may choose to limit access to all individual data in order to protect just the mental health component. It is imperative to have a scalable, usable ability to represent and reason over individualized data access agreements to that data.

Additionally, new advances in genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, etc. requires new understanding of consent for data access. These types of data have familial information as well as personal; we need new ways to represent, manage and interpret data access based on multiple-individual data owners. Individualized agreements must take into account these variations of individuals who have rights to the data.

This research project studies algorithms, techniques and systems for the above problems. It will involve developing algorithmic and theoretical tools, and implementing platforms and systems that are required. The project is open to customisation based on the particular interests of the student. The student will be strongly encouraged and supported to publish in academic journals and travel to conferences to present his/her research.

For further details, please contact: Dr Adriane Chapman ([Email Address Removed]), attaching a CV and preferably a recent transcript in English.

Key facts

Entry requirements: first or upper second-class degree or equivalent, very good theoretical and programming skills are required, experience with one or more of the following: databases, privacy, security.

Closing date: Early application date is 15 May 2019. Depending on the funds remaining in place, formal applications should be received no later than 31 August 2019 for standard admissions.

Duration: four years (full-time)

Funding: full tuition fees, for UK/EU students, and a tax-free stipend of £15,009 per year. International students will also be considered.

Assessment: Nine month and 18 month reports, viva voce and thesis examination

Start date: typically October
Applying: www.southampton.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgstudy/howdoiapplypg.html