PhD fee waiver opportunities in the School of Education and Professional Development

The School has a well-established research culture and is keen to recruit high quality full-time PhD candidates in its areas of special expertise. To this end we offer a maximum of 3 full-fee waivers for full-time PhD candidates per academic year. The criteria on which these are awarded are:

-          Excellence of candidates evidenced through previous academic achievements (eg 1^st class honours degree; distinction at Master’s level) together with quality of proposal;

-          The topic must be in an area identified by one of our leading researchers, and that researcher must be able and willing to act as first supervisor;

-          The application (research proposal) must be viewed and deemed worthy of support by the Director of Graduate Education and another leading researcher in addition to the potential supervisor / sponsor.

Please contact the individual professors if you want to discuss any possible application.

Professor James Avis

• Critical analyses of post-secondary education and life-long learning, vocationalism and teacher professionalism.
• Social justice and vocational education and training.
• The lived experience of teachers and learners in post-secondary education and training.
• The political economy of the education and training sector.

Professor Janet Fink

• Children and young people’s experiences of the formal and informal spaces of education, historically and in current times.
• Historical and contemporary studies of childhoods, particularly in the contexts of visual and popular culture.
• The forms and experiences of social inequality that shape children’s everyday lives.
• The potential and challenges of visual research methods for generating knowledge about the experiences of children and young people.

Professor Paul Miller

• The interaction between educational policy and the practice of school leadership.
• Race and educational leadership (access and impact).
• Teacher migration and identity (in particular, overseas trained teachers).
• Corruption in education (in particular, teacher progression/headteacher selection).
• Cross-border approaches to teacher/principal development.
• Cross-cultural approaches to researching in educational leadership.

Professor Kevin Orr

• Vocational education and training experience, policy and practice, including vocational pedagogy.
• Work-based learning.
• Education and training for the professions.
• Teacher education in the further education/learning and skills sectors.

Professor Lyn Tett

• The cultural, class and identity factors that contribute to literacy and numeracy difficulties experienced by adults and the forms of education and learning that are most effective in empowering individuals and communities experiencing educational disadvantage.
• An investigation of the factors that encourage or prevent access to higher education for, and retention of, educationally disadvantaged adults.
• An analysis of how international policy discourses on inequalities impact on UK national and local policies for adult education and lifelong learning.

Professor Robin Simmons

• The changing nature of post-compulsory education, particularly staff and student experiences of vocational education and training – either historically or in contemporary settings.
• Young people’s transitions into adulthood, especially their experiences of education and work. I am particularly interested in those wishing to research the lives of young people classified as NEET or at risk of becoming NEET, or those of those engaged in provision designed to prepare marginalised youth for the world of work. 

Professor Paul Thomas

• Youth, extremism and education - how and why young people become attracted towards extremist groups and ideologies, the role of education and educators in preventing and countering extremism, the Prevent strategy.
• Youth people, ethnic segregation and community cohesion – young peoples’ experiences of ethnic identity and ethnic tensions, the role of education and educators in addressing ethnic tensions and contributing to community cohesion, policy approaches to cohesion and integration.

PhD Scholarships in Business and Management

Huddersfield Business School, University of Huddersfield

Qualification type: PhD

Location: Huddersfield

Funding amount: Full tuition fee plus a monthly bursary for three years.

Hours: Full-time

Closing date: 11^th December 2017 / Possible interview date: 14^th December 2017

Start date: January 2018

Funding for: Home/UK, EU and International Students

Following our strong performance in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), Huddersfield Business School is seeking to invest in one outstanding new PhD candidate in the area of business and management with a specific focus on transport and logistics. The successful applicant will work on the following project:

• Understanding Public Perceptions for the Cybersecurity of Autonomous and Connected Vehicles: A Human Factors Study for ‘Safe-guarding’ Artificial Intelligence in Road Transport, to be led by Dr Alexandros Nikitas (BS) and co-supervised by Dr Kyle Wilson K.Wilson@hud.ac.uk (HHS).

Dr Alexandros Nikitas: A.Nikitas@hud.ac.uk, +44 1484 47 1815

The interest with which the scientific world, the markets and societies anticipate a full scale launch of autonomous and connected vehicles, one of the most impactful and ‘near to completion’ applications of artificial intelligence, is higher than ever before. This is because these vehicles have, in theory at least, the potential to utterly transform urban development as known today, with a revolution in road transport, regulations permitting, that could dramatically change the landscape of cities and have an enormous socio-economic, spatial mobility and business impact. Although recent studies showed that a priori acceptability of artificial intelligence in road transport could be likely for many drivers today the future may be far more complex. The implementation of vehicle automation will not be straightforward, predictable or unproblematic; there is a wide spectrum of challenges, social dilemmas and complicated human factors issues that may arise from such an ‘untested’ and ‘powerful’ innovation. Cybersecurity threats constitute one of the key problems that need to be addressed and a socio-psychological barrier that might make individuals and even societies as a whole, less willing to embrace driverless vehicle technologies. The proposed PhD study aims to develop a theoretical and empirical framework for understanding public attitudes towards cybersecurity in automated and connected vehicles and predict behavioural patterns and human-machine interaction trends in a crisis situation; it will be primarily a user-centred study of socio-technical nature. The PhD will ultimately try to identify how a new automated and connected transport network could be (or at least perceived by its users to be) robust to disturbances, failures and threats of an unexpected and malicious nature. This approach means that the research will ultimately identify and examine the cybersecurity dimensions of transport resilience in a new era for urban mobility governed by artificial intelligence.    

Eligibility: The scholarship is open to all Home/UK, EU and International PhD students, who intend to begin their PhD studies in 2019/2020.

Scholarship package: The scholarship consists of a full tuition at the Home/UK, EU or International student fee rate and a bursary of £14,553 in the first year (£1,212 per month), £14,815 in the second year (£1,234 per month) and £15,082 in the third year (£1,256 per month), which is subject to satisfactory annual performance and progression review.

Requirements:

• Academic excellence
• A genuine interest about the topic
• A first class or equivalent bachelor’s degree in any area of business and management (accounting and finance, economics, entrepreneurship, logistics, operations research, operations and hospitality management, human resource management, management science, people, management, organisations, marketing, tourism and related areas), education, computing and engineering, geography, mathematics, political science, psychology, social sciences and sociology.
• A master’s degree with distinction or equivalent in similar or related areas to the above.
• Outstanding analytical, academic writing and English Language skills (at least, an overall academic IELTS test score of 7.5 with no score below 7.0 or equivalent for international or non-native users of English Language).
• A great understanding of at least one of the following areas: autonomous vehicles, transport of people, urban studies and cybersecurity.
• Experience referring to conducting transport studies is highly desirable
• Outstanding quantitative or qualitative data collection and analysis skills, including first class computer skills, knowledge and experience in the use of Microsoft Office and/or other qualitative or statistical packages, such as NVivo, SPSS, STATA, and EVIEWS.
• An outstanding research proposal that fits well with the research interests of at least one of the two projects outlined above.
• A proven ability to work both in a team and independently with minimum supervision.
• Ability and readiness to provide high quality teaching of up to 6 hours per week within the school.
• Be able to commence their studies in January 2018.

How to apply:

• Complete an exceptional research proposal focused on one of the topics listed above (maximum of 2,500 words, excluding references and any appendices), covering the following sections: (i) project title; (ii) abstract; (iii) project introduction, motivation and problem statement; (iv) project background or context; (v) project theoretical framework; (vi) project empirical literature review and propositions or hypotheses; (vi) project research design or data and research methodology; (vii) project references; and (vii) a 3-year time-table or plan to completion. The proposal must be in the area of one of these four projects. All applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate project team leaders for any questions or clarifications that they may have about the projects before submitting their applications.
• Complete an application (download application form).
• Two good academic references (we require full written references, not just contact details)
• A current detailed CV, identifying any research employment or experience and, where applicable, details of research conference presentations or publications.
• Transcripts and certificates (copies) of all relevant academic and/or any professional qualifications, including English Language qualifications (e.g., IELTS test score for international or non-native users of English Language applicants).

Completed applications, including all relevant documents requested above should be submitted via-email to the External Engagement Assistants. Email address: sbus.research.applications@hud.ac.uk

Deadline: The closing date for the receipt of completed applications is Monday 11^th December 2017 (23.59, BST).

Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship for University of Huddersfield graduates

Research degrees can represent a natural progression for the best graduates. They offer a valuable opportunity to build on promise and realise potential.

At the University of Huddersfield we support academic excellence through the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships - a scheme that aims to provide the best students with free research degrees.

The highest-achieving students deserve every chance to earn higher-level qualifications.

This scheme reflects our commitment to giving the most promising graduates every possible encouragement to further their studies in a thriving research environment.

It also reflects our commitment to cementing the University of Huddersfield’s reputation as an internationally recognised research-led institution.

Professor Andrew Ball, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise

Our research

The breadth of research degrees available at Huddersfield reflects the full range of fields in which the University advances research, innovation and collaboration, including:

• Culture and creative arts
• Engineering and physical sciences
• Energy, sustainability and climate change
• Healthcare, social services and education
• Security and global uncertainties
• The digital economy, business and enterprise

Who can apply?

The Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship is available to University of Huddersfield students, as follows:

• Huddersfield students are eligible to apply for the VC Scholarship if they graduate with: a first-class honours degree; a taught Master's with a distinction; or, at the discretion of the School, a Master's by Research where a compelling case for excellence can be made.
• Successful applicants will normally be required to undertake a research degree on a full-time basis within 12 months of graduation.

How to apply?

To apply please complete our online research degree application form, making sure it is clearly marked that you are applying under the VC's initiative.

More information

For more information please email study@hud.ac.uk.

New opportunities coming soon.

Proof of Concept Research Bursary 

Following last year’s funding allocation, we are re-running the Proof of Concept (POC) research bursaries.  We have funding allocated to support a number of research bursaries at UKRI level (currently £14,553), aimed primarily at the support of research studentships – either MRes or MEnt, however funding remains flexible to meet needs across as many situations as possible. Overall, the funding is to facilitate the further development and evaluation of promising pre-commercialisation opportunities, and therefore stimulate the commercialisation of early stage intellectual property emanating from the University of Huddersfield.

We are keen to foster collaborative activity between the UoH and our strategic partner NPL and will prioritise such applications. If any academic is keen to make links with potential collaborators in NPL please contact Barry Timmins as soon as possible who will facilitate links and introductions.

Depending on final budget availability we will allocate further funding to the successfully funded bursaries for consumables, travel and subsistence.

Following the outcomes of a research exercise undertaken on this year’s POC bursaries, we have aimed to enhance the guidance and information on the attached application form, as well as introduce some changes to bring improvements to the process as a whole. 

Download the POC Bursary Application Form
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Download an Invention Disclosure Form  if required.‌

Key dates are:-

Application Submission by email to crm@hud.ac.uk end of Friday 1st June

Academic Notifications by email on Monday 4th June

Applications are invited for a fully funded EPSRC Industrial Case PhD studentship in the area of reality capture of infrastructure assets at the University of Huddersfield supported by Network Rail. Applicants should be of outstanding quality and exceptionally motivated. The studentships are renewable for up to 4 years, subject to satisfactory annual performance and progression review, and will provide for tuition fees, a tax-free stipend and research cost.

Please note that this is a competitive application process which including interviews.  Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview in person or via Skype. The most outstanding applicants will be offered the studentship.

The application form and all details are available at 

Queries about the application process are welcome and should be directed by email to Julie Tierney J.Tierney@hud.ac.uk Informal enquiries about individual projects should be directed to the lead supervisor, Professor Song Wu (s.wu@hud.ac.uk).

Summary of award

Type of Award:	Industrial Case PhD Research Studentship
Eligibility:	UK/EU applicants only; First Class or Upper Second Class Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject area (civil engineering, construction and computer science). If you are an international applicant, please contact directly to the lead supervisor, Professor Song Wu (s.wu@hud.ac.uk)
Location:	Huddersfield
Details:	4 years full time research covering tuition fees and a stipend of funding up to four years at £15,009 per annum for 2019-2020 and increasing in line with EPSRC guidelines for subsequent years Additional funding up to £28,600 is available to cover research cost. Funded via the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Industrial Case Account and Network Rail
Duration:	4 years, full-time plus 12 months writing up
Closing date:	12 April 2019
Start date:	October 2019

Candidate requirements

Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a First Class or Upper Second Class Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject area.

Applicants will, normally, have no restrictions on how long they can stay in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years prior to the start of the studentship. See https://epsrc.ukri.org/skills/students/help/eligibility/ for details.

Application details

• Complete the Studentship Application Form, save the file in format ProjectReferenceSurname.doc, where ProjectReference = EPSRC_Hud_Icase, Surname = your family name.
• Provide a current detailed CV, identifying any research employment or experience and, where applicable, details of research conference presentations or publications.
• Provide copies of transcripts and certificates of all relevant academic and/or any professional qualifications.
• Provide references from two individuals, at least one of whom should be able to comment on your suitability for postgraduate research. Referees named on this application who are submitting references separately should send them to Tierney@hud.ac.uk and include the Project Reference in the subject of their email.

Completed applications, including all relevant documents should be submitted via-email to J.Tierney@hud.ac.uk and should include the Project Reference in the subject of the email. Please note: if you do not attach all the relevant documentation prior to the closing date of 12 April 2019 your application will not be considered.

Project Description

PhD Title

Discovering and assessing buried infrastructure elements with advanced sensing technology

Project Summary

The performance of buried structures such as tunnels, retaining walls relies on their material and structural integrity and their ability to resist external forces. They can be damaged by impacts, traffic and other structural loads, ground movements, scour, seismic activity and corrosion. Therefore, it is critical to have a good understanding of their condition through regular inspection. However, at present, it is extremely challenging to acquire meaningful condition data for the buried aging infrastructure elements due to lack of the basic design information and practical investigation method. This research aims to develop a method and related technologies to rapidly construct the Building Information Model (BIM) of the aging infrastructure elements and assess their condition through the use of data fusion concept with reality capture technologies and underground sensing technologies. The key objectives of the research are:

• Review the existing buried structure condition assessment requirement and related method
• Review the existing underground sensing technologies to detect and assess buried structure
• Develop a rapid 3D BIM reconstruction method with reality capture technologies (laser scanning and photogrammetry)
• Develop a data fusion technology to integrate data from reality capture technology and underground sensing technology for BIM reconstruction and condition assessment
• Establish a practical method and workflow for buried structure condition assessment