Message posted on 08/02/2019

The Future of Data Storage and the Future of Data Need: a PhD in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) - Material Social Futures, Lancaster University

                The Future of Data Storage and the Future of Data Need: a PhD in Human 
<br>Computer Interaction (HCI)
<br>
<br>To start: October 2019
<br>
<br>Deadline for Applications: Friday, March 29th, 2019
<br>
<br>This is a call for applications for a three-year fully funded PhD 
<br>studentship for UK and EU citizens in the Leverhulme Trust PhD Training 
<br>Centre in Material Social Futures (http://wp.lancs.ac.uk/msf/) at 
<br>Lancaster University.
<br>
<br>Topic: The invention of new materials, such as nanostructures, has 
<br>created much hyperbole as well as concern. Nanostructures are in the 
<br>size range of 1 to 100 nm; minute beyond everyday understanding yet 
<br>capable, in theory at least, of being assembled into new shapes and 
<br>structures. In the computing industry, these structures are expected to 
<br>be revolutionary; offering, amongst other things, the promise of quantum 
<br>data storage. This affects not just the way data might be stored and
<br>encrypted but the scale of data storage. Indeed, with nanotechnology, 
<br>manufacturers might be able to produce data storage materials at costs 
<br>that are so low that the data storage becomes virtually free. However, 
<br>and as any economist would observe, when the value of a commodity 
<br>becomes almost nil, demand for it is likely to become infinitely large. 
<br>In this case, users (whether individuals, companies or governments) 
<br>might stop asking why they want to store data or what they want to do 
<br>with it once stored, and instead start saving everything – irrespective 
<br>of worth or value. Indeed, with ‘nano-data-storage’, the world might 
<br>become flooded with ‘digital dirt’. This is to put it colourfully,
<br>but is this ‘store everything’ future desirable? If not, why not? What 
<br>is the alternative? Besides, is this ‘digital dirt’ scenario 
<br>misrepresenting how users might leverage nano-storage? Their behaviours 
<br>might be affected, by, for example, innovative design that makes them 
<br>think differently about purpose and value. New forms of HCI might be 
<br>enabled. Indeed, how will people interact with data storage? ‘Digital 
<br>housework’ that involves clearing out unwanted data might become a norm. 
<br>All these and more are legitimate topics to be investigated in this 
<br>forward-thinking research project.
<br>
<br>The appointed candidate will undertake their PhD research alongside PhDs 
<br>researching the materials science aspects of this topic, in particular 
<br>related to the devising of nano-scale data storage materials. These and 
<br>other PhDs will all be members of and participants in a multi-stranded 
<br>PhD research training programme in Material Social Futures. The future 
<br>of data storage and data need is one important part of this programme.
<br>
<br>The Leverhulme PhD Training Centre for Material Social Futures brings 
<br>together concepts and approaches from across the disciplines to help 
<br>produce futures that people want and the world needs. The doctoral 
<br>training is a major new strategic collaborative partnership between the 
<br>vibrant research community of the University’s Institute for Social 
<br>Futures (http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/social-futures/) and the Materials 
<br>Science Institute 
<br>(http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/materials-science-institute/) Lancaster 
<br>University is one of the top 10 universities in the UK.
<br>
<br>Supervisors
<br>The PhD will be supervised by Prof. Richard Harper: 
<br>https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/scc/about-us/people/richard-harper; and/ or 
<br>Dr Mark Rouncefield: 
<br>https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/scc/about-us/people/mark-rouncefield
<br>m.rouncefield@lancaster.ac.uk.
<br>
<br>Further Details
<br>- The PhD is for 3 years duration and is awardable to any EU citizen;
<br>- Payment of academic fees;
<br>- A Maintenance Stipend (£14,777 pa);
<br>- Access to a Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) (£800 pa) for 
<br>reimbursement of research-related expenses including – but not limited 
<br>to – conference attendance, training courses and equipment.
<br>- Additional research costs (such as entailed in fieldwork) will be 
<br>supported as appropriate;
<br>- Access to a range of training and development provided by Lancaster 
<br>University, the Material Social Futures PhD Programme, and the Institute 
<br>for Social Futures and the Materials Science Institute;
<br>- The Material Social Futures PhD programme will offer optional 
<br>internships (including international placements) in the second and or 
<br>third year of training.
<br>
<br>Person Specification:
<br>- Candidates will preferably have a background and academic interest in 
<br>any combination of HCI and computer science, sociology, anthropology or 
<br>related science and technology studies;
<br>- Candidates must have qualifications of the standard of Bachelor’s 
<br>degree at first or upper second class level, and may also benefit from 
<br>having a suitable Master’s degree or equivalent (or will have completed 
<br>a Master’s degree by the starting date October 2019) in a relevant 
<br>discipline.
<br>
<br>Application Information: Please send enquiries about the vacancy and 
<br>applications by email to Richard Harper (r.harper@lancaster/ac/uk) or 
<br>Mark Rouncefield (m.rouncefied@lancaster.ac.uk).
<br>
<br>How to apply:
<br>- A full CV, including two named referees (one of whom should be your 
<br>most recent academic tutor/supervisor);
<br>- A copy of Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree transcript (or copy of 
<br>equivalent qualifications);
<br>- A letter of application (not exceeding two pages of A4) outlining your 
<br>suitability for a PhD and
<br>explaining how you would approach the research;
<br>- An example of postgraduate level written work (e.g. a research 
<br>article, chapter, or essay).
<br>
<br>Email applications to either of the supervisors above.
<br>
<br>Deadline: March 29th 2019
<br>
<br>Candidates invited for an interview will be eligible to claim reasonable 
<br>UK travel expenses to attend.
<br>
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