PhD (Structured) Data Science Institute (DSI) / Insight

Data Science is concerned with the development of scalable methods for the curation and analysis of large data sets, in order to derive insights and actionable knowledge from these for predictive analytics and other aspects of decision support. Methods in Data Science typically build on best practices in machine learning and statistics with applications in the analysis of structured data as well as of semi-structured and unstructured data, including numerical, textual and image data. Data sources can be in Internet of Things and other sensor data streams, social media, large text collections such as reporting, image collections, video material, etc. In addition to machine learning and statistics, scientific methods specific to each data type will originate from areas including Natural Language Processing, image processing, stream reasoning, etc.

PhD candidates must have a good honours degree (typically First Class Honours or 2:1) in a relevant area. Interested candidates should begin by contacting a member of DSI research and academic staff whose research interests are most closely aligned to their own research interests.

Masters candidates must hold at least a 2nd Class Honours Primary Degree in a related subject area or hold a Primary Degree in a related area without honours (which is acceptable to College) and have practical experience in the subject area over a period of not less than three years.

We expect:

• A strong background in computer science
• Research interests in Data Science, Natural Language Processing, Information Management, Systems Development, Logic, Ontology Languages, Semantic Web, Semantics in Business Information Systems, Linked Data, Machine Learning, IOT, sensors, stream reasoning.
• The willingness to combine formal scientific work with application-oriented research in projects funded by the European Commission, national agencies or by industry.

English Language Requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, no less than 5.5 in any one component; Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE): 176 overall; Cambridge C2 Advanced (CPE): 180 overall; TOEFL: 88 overall (7 Listening, 16 Speaking, 18 Writing, 8 Reading); Pearson PTE: 61 overall, no less than 48 in any one component.