We are advertising a new PhD studentship through CREDS
Project Description
The department:
The PhD will be based in the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) at the University of Sussex. Established in 1966, SPRU conducts research, consultancy and postgraduate teaching in the area of science, technology, and innovation policy. SPRU comprises over 70 faculty and 60 doctoral students and is ranked third in the world and the highest in the UK in a global list of think tanks in science and technology. The Sussex Energy Group (SEG) at SPRU aims to understand and foster transitions towards sustainable, low carbon energy systems. Drawing from SPRU’s tradition, the Group undertakes academically rigorous, interdisciplinary social science research on contemporary energy and climate policy challenges.
The research area:
This PhD studentship will explore the potential contribution of digital technologies to reducing energy demand and assisting the transition to secure, low carbon energy systems. The studentship forms part of the Digital Society theme of the Centre for Research on Energy Demand Solutions (CREDS), and the successful student will be invited to take part in CREDS meetings and related research and engagement activities.
Applications are welcome for projects that investigate the historic and potential future impact of digital technologies on energy demand, the mechanisms contributing to those impacts and the means by which the energy-saving potential of digital technologies can be maximised. The projects may use ideas from economics, innovation studies, sociology or other relevant disciplines and may employ both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The studentships will contribute to a larger programme of research in this area, led by Prof Tim Foxon and Prof Steve Sorrell.
Possible topics for research projects include:
- the recent and future impacts of ICTs on energy consumption and energy productivity at the sectoral and macroeconomic level;
- the potential for innovative, ICT-based business models to deliver end-use services with lower energy use and carbon emissions;
- the influence of smart systems on energy-related user practices (e.g. working remotely, changing leisure patterns) and the effect of these on energy consumption;
- the use of digital technologies to optimise the energy efficiency of industrial processes, logistics and larger systems such as entire cities.
Benefits:
The PhD studentship is offered for a maximum of three years, renewable on a yearly basis, subject to satisfactory performance on the doctoral degree. The successful candidate will receive a full fee waiver plus a stipend equivalent to the UKRI doctoral stipend, currently £15,009 per annum, paid each year in three termly instalments (typically in October, January and April). In order to prepare students for academic careers, individuals receiving a studentship will be offered the possibility to undertake some teaching and/or marking activities in the School, of up to a maximum of six hours per week during term time, or to apply for any part-time Research Assistant roles that may become available. Any teaching undertaken will be paid at grade 6 of the University’s Doctoral Tutor salary scale in addition to the stipend.
Application procedure:
If you are interested in applying for a studentship, you need to first apply for a PhD place in Science and Technology Policy Studies at the University of Sussex, including a research proposal addressing one of the research topics above or a closely related topic. Details of the application process are available here: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply
For further details, please see here: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/phd-funding/view/1173-One-3-year-PhD-studentship-on-“Energy-Demand-in-the-Digital-Society”-at-SPRU,-University-of-Sussex
Funding Notes
The studentship is available for UK/EU and overseas applicants. Applicants should have an upper second class honours degree, and already have, or currently be studying for, a Master’s degree in a related subject, or equivalent qualification if a non-UK applicant. A good level pass is usually required for the Master’s degree. Proof of proficiency in English is also required, i.e., an IELTS certificate taken within the last two years showing at least 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each of the four sections.