PhD Studentship in Technology-strategies for the changing environmental impact of Digital Media

The project:

This is an exciting opportunity to join the CANDISE (Change-Oriented Assessments for Net-Zero Digital Services) project team, more information at https://tinyurl.com/candise-gow .

Current approaches to reducing the carbon footprint from computer hardware and software tend to take a static view of media technology based on stocks of devices or modelling efficiency of classes of devices, for example, network efficiency.

This perspective prioritises control over influence. For example, this view focuses on the near-term effects of more efficient software and hardware.

When complementing the short-term direct control with a view on the longer-term effects, strategies to reduce the sector's footprint become more effective, for example: understanding the role of changing patterns of media consumption, the effects of greening of electricity supply or the potential from capping carbon footprints for devices and software.

Together with our globally leading industrial (including Netflix, Sony, Meta, BT, and Akamai) and academic (from the US and the EU) partners, you will study how technological innovation towards the low carbon economy transforms the sector's environmental footprint, and how to align all stakeholders synergistically.

In this four year PhD project, your studies will combine quantitative (simulating and modelling) and qualitative methods (interviews and workshops) methods.

Your findings have the potential to influence new products and services, company and sectorial net zero strategies and governance. The skills you develop during these studies will enable you for an exciting career in academia or industry. 

Applications enter a competitive process and applicants must contact Daniel Schien ([email protected] ) prior to submission.

Candidate requirements: 

Applicants must hold/achieve a minimum of a merit at master’s degree level (or international equivalent) in an engineering or innovation and technology discipline. Applicants without a master's qualification may be considered on an exceptional basis, provided they hold a first class undergraduate degree. Please note, acceptance will also depend on evidence of readiness to pursue a research degree.

If English is not your first language, you need to meet this profile level:
Profile 
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels .

Funding: Minimum tax-free stipend at the current UKRI rate is £18,622 for 2023/24.

For eligibility and residence requirements please check the UKRI UK Research and Innovation website.

Contacts: For questions about the research topic, please contact Daniel Schien at [email protected] .  

For questions about eligibility and the application process please get in touch with Engineering Postgraduate Research Admissions: [email protected].