PhD in Data Visualization Opportunities (fully funded, 4 years) with Diverse CDT

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Diversity in Data Visualization

8 Studentships Available

Change what we can see. See what we can change.

We are recruiting a new cohort of fully funded PhD students for The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Diversity in Data Visualization, starting October 2026; Studentships are available at City St George's and the University of Warwick.

Science, industry and society need people with advanced data visualization capabilities. Studying for a PhD with Diverse CDT is an opportunity to undertake world-leading doctoral research and join a cohort of future leaders in data visualization.

As a PhD researcher with Diverse CDT, you can:

• Undertake interdisciplinary research in data visualization
• Collaborate between City St George's and the University of Warwick.
• Be part of a diverse and active cohort working on and learning about data visualizations through research.
• Complete research-in-practice internships with academic and industrial partners across public, private and not-for-profit sectors, including the Natural History Museum , the Ordnance Survey, and the Centre for Applied Education Research.
• Receive state-of-the-art training in data analysis, visual design, user experience and digital notebooks.
• Work on, and advocate for, data-related problems and topics important to you.
• Engage with a global field through exchange opportunities with leading data visualization research labs.

Scholarship funding

A Diverse CDT Scholarship includes:

• A tax-free stipend of £23,158 per year for four years (increasing with inflation)
• All fees paid (UK Home rates)
• A top spec laptop for the duration of your studies
• Up to £3000 research activity allowance
• 3-6-month internships with academic and industrial partners across sectors

Full-time and part-time study routes are available. Note that this is an in-person programme, so you will need to be within regular commuting distance of your University.

Eligibility and requirements

We want PhD researchers who are curious and excited about the power of data and potential for visualization in understanding and communicating data.

This opportunity is open to UK (Home) applicants, those with pre-settled or settled status and indefinite leave to remain. We are also able to recruit a limited number of international applicants who are exempt from ATAS Certification Requirements.

We welcome applications from all who are eligible, and you need not have completed a previous degree on data visualization to apply. We welcome applications from those whose perspectives and experiences are currently under-represented in data visualization, including applicants who identify as one or more of the following: those who are female, those from Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, and those from low-income backgrounds or areas experiencing high levels of deprivation. We are conscious that there are different ways of describing such under-representation, and that no description will work for every individual: the wording we use here is intended to invite and include.

You may have or be close to completing:

• An undergraduate degree involving some work with data in any programme of study (e.g. Geography, Sociology, Health Sciences, Business, Politics, Psychology, Computer Science)

And/or

• A postgraduate qualification that involves some work with data, and an interest in undertaking visualization research. 
  And/or
• Substantial experience in working with data and interest in visualization outside of higher education (subject to institutional approval).

Whether or not you ‘fit’ existing expectations of who a data visualization expert is, you can bring new knowledge, perspectives, priorities, causes and ideas to the field, to apply and inform data visualization. Data visualization is stronger if people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines and with a wide range of interests are involved in developing the field.

How to apply

Online applications should be submitted via the link below:

Apply - Diverse CDT

We have more information about this opportunity at Diverse CDT.

If you have any questions about Diverse CDT or the programme, please contact Nicola Kirkby at info@diverse-cdt.ac.uk.

Institutions

This innovative, interdisciplinary PhD programme is a collaboration between academics from across City St George’s, University of London and from the University of Warwick. There are places available to study at both Universities: as a Diverse CDT student, you will collaborate as a cohort across City St George’s and Warwick.

With an emphasis on research at the forefront of practice, City St George’s brings Diverse specialists in Data Visualization, Human Computer Interaction Design, Sociology, and Creativity in Leadership (Bayes Business School).

The University of Warwick’s Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies fosters innovative and experimental forms of knowledge production across an expanding range of specialisms, including data visualisation.

This breadth of expertise will enable you to develop a thematic lens to data visualization that’s aligned to your unique interests.

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