About the PhD studentships
We invite applications for two funded PhD studentships situated on topics that sit at the intersection of geographic information science and the creation of groundbreaking datasets for social science research. Candidates are invited to apply if they would like to undertake a PhD that develops innovative approaches for the analysis and/or visualisation of complex spatial datasets that address critical societal issues.
The ideal candidates will have a strong background in GIS, data science, or quantitative geography, with experience in programming (Python, R, or similar). An interest in advanced geospatial methods, machine learning, or visualisation techniques would be advantageous.
Research proposals
Inspiration for the research will be drawn from the Smart Data Research UK Geographic Data Service, which focusses on the geographical analysis of ‘smart’ data arising from human interactions with digital devices like smartphones or from online behaviour. We therefore invite candidates to develop two-page proposals that consider analysis and/or visualisation of:
- Geodemographic classifications of neighbourhood structure across the UK.
- People’s daily activity patterns, particularly their participation in the nighttime economy.
- The social and spatial consequences of residential mobility, both within and between generations.
- The effects of aggregation of data across space and/or time.
- Issues of computer mapping and user interaction with maps.
- The implications of AI for quantitative analysis of geographic systems.
- Geographies of online behaviour with respect to gambling, personal finance or housing market search.
Candidates are advised to consult the current data catalogue managed by the Geographic Data Service (currently under the branding of the Consumer Data Research Centre) https://data.cdrc.ac.uk/ for possible datasets.
Minimum and Desired Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Educational Background:
- A strong undergraduate degree (high 2:1 / 1st) in a relevant field such as Geography, Social Data Science, Computer Science, Urban Studies, or a related quantitative discipline.
- Technical Skills:
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, particularly for data analysis and machine learning applications.
- Familiarity with GIS Software (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, QGIS).
- Analytical Skills:
- Basic knowledge of geospatial data analysis.
- Communication Skills:
- Ability to clearly present research ideas and findings both in writing and verbally.
- Research Experience:
- Some experience with data handling and statistical methods, preferably through coursework or projects.
Desired Qualifications:
- Advanced Educational Background:
- A master’s degree in a relevant field, such as Computer Science, Geographic Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science or Urban Analytics. Graduates from ‘Q-Step’ quantitative social science programmes are also encouraged to apply.
- Geodemographic Knowledge:
- Familiarity with geodemographic methods and concepts, particularly using structured data like census or survey datasets.
- Geospatial Data Expertise:
- Advanced skills in handling geospatial datasets, spatial statistics and geospatial database management (e.g.GeoPandas, PostGIS).
- Project Management and Collaboration:
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and collaborate in interdisciplinary teams.
- Publication Experience:
- Previous experience in publishing research findings in academic journals or presenting at conferences.
The Details
The successful applicants will be supervised by Professors James Cheshire (james.cheshire@ucl.ac.uk) and Paul Longley (p.longley@ucl.ac.uk) to whom enquiries should be directed in the first instance. Questions about the proposal are particularly welcome prior to application submission.
These studentships benefit from the world-leading research environment at UCL, with it’s interdisciplinary collaborations and access to cutting-edge spatial data infrastructures. The UCL Department of Geography will be the host department, with affiliations to the UCL Social Data Institute, the Smart Data Research UK Geographic Data Service and the UCL, Bloomsbury and East London Doctoral Training Partnership.
The studentships are offered for three years and cover tuition fees (at UK home student rate) plus an annual stipend of £19,237 (benchmarked against current ESRC guidance). Students are eligible to undertake additional paid work as postgraduate teaching assistants for programmes associated with the UCL Social Data Institute.
How to apply
The closing date for applications is midday 6 May 2025 and they should be sent as a PDF containing the 2-page proposal and candidate CV to ucl.soda@ucl.ac.uk.
Interviews will take place soon after and the two best candidates will then be required to complete a full PhD application to UCL (with the support of Professors Cheshire and Longley).
