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Department of Architecture

 

The Department of Architecture at the University of Cambridge is a world leader in architectural and urban research. All PhD students become members of the Martin Centre for Architectural and Urban Studies, the research arm of the Department. Martin Centre projects typically cross traditional research boundaries, engaging with transportation, land use, buildings, history and philosophy of architecture, digital media design and communication, risk assessment and mitigation in the built environment, natural materials and territorial conflict in divided cities. This offers a rich environment for collaboration both within the Department, with other disciplines in the University, and with other leading institutions around the world. In the most recent UK Research Excellence Framework Assessment, 88% of the Department’s research output was considered world leading or internationally excellent. For more information about the Department and its research see http://www.arct.cam.ac.uk/

The Department is delighted to invite applications for two PhD studentships commencing October 2016. The studentships are funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Doctoral Training Studentship schemes. Applications for research undertaken in any EPSRC themed areas are welcome. See: (https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/research/ourportfolio/themes/). Students will be supervised by one of the Department’s University Teaching Officers (UTOs). For information about our UTOs see http://www.arct.cam.ac.uk/admissions/courses/phd-in-architecture/how-to-apply-for-the-phd-in-architecture. Candidates are encouraged to contact a prospective supervisor for an initial discussion in order to scope out potential research interests and dissertation topics.

Candidates are expected to have a 1st class or a high 2.i undergraduate honours degree (at least 67% or equivalent), and a master’s degree with 70% overall (or equivalent) in architecture or a related discipline appropriate to the research to be undertaken.

Each studentship will be available from October 2016 for a period of three and a half years. Full studentships or fees only studentships are available for candidates considered ‘Home’ or ‘EU’ respectively for fee purposes. For information on eligibility see the EPSRC website: https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/eligibility/. The maintenance stipend for Home students will be £14, 296 for 2016-17 increasing in line with EPSRC guidance in subsequent years.

In order to apply, please email the following documents to Dr Nichola Tooke at the Faculty of Architecture and History of Art, 1 Scroope Terrace, Cambridge CB2 1PX (email:):

1. a cover letter explaining the motivation to apply and nominating a prospective supervisor from the UTOs in the Department

2. a CV (two pages maximum)

3. Full transcripts and degree certificates

4. a research proposal of 1000 - 1500 words (this should include a research topic and a hypothesis, a literature review, a statement on method, and key references)

5. a sample of your academic writing (eg a journal article or a chapter from a master’s degree dissertation)

The documents should arrive no later than Monday 20 June 9.00am as one pdf document and need to be organised in the order of the list above. Please quote reference EPSRC/DT

P/AHA/2016 in the Subject Box of your email. You will also need to arrange for Dr Tooke to receive two references by the above deadline. Your referees should be familiar with your academic work and able to assess your potential to undertake PhD research.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview to take place on the afternoon of Monday 4 July

. The selected candidates will be required to make a formal PhD application to the University of Cambridge, following University procedures, before a final decision is made.