There are 7 fully funded LINCS PhD Scholarships available for entry in September 2020.

The Leverhulme Interdisciplinary Network on Cybersecurity and Society (LINCS) at Queen’s University Belfast has been established to support pioneering research at the interface between the social sciences and electronic engineering & computer science.

LINCS brings together The Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice and the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) to develop a distinctive cohort of doctoral students working across the boundaries of their disciplines who will open up new avenues of enquiry centred initially on the priority themes and specific PhD projects.

The Scholarship includes:

• Full-time postgraduate research tuition fees at Standard UK Rates (not yet set for 2020/21). These will be set in early 2020. The standard tuition fee for 2019/20 was £4,327 for one year of study

• A maintenance award at the Research Councils UK national rate

• Research Training and Expenses £1,000 per annum for three years

Project priority themes are:

• Cybersecurity: Technology and Ethics

• Cyberspace, Privacy and Data Protection

• Debordering and Rebordering in Cyberspace: Technological, Legal and Political Aspects

• Borders, Security Technologies, Data Gathering and Data Sharing

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 4.00PM (GMT) ON TUESDAY 14 JANUARY 2020

Details of projects can be found by clicking the links below.

You may propose their own interdisciplinary topic that aligns with one or more of the priority themes.  In this case, please contact Professor Cathal McCall by email at c.mccall@qub.ac.uk in the first instance.

Cybersecurity: Technology and Ethics

Building Interpretable and De-biased AI for use in the legal system

Privacy-preserving functional cryptography

Automated Ethics: Managing Pre-Emptive Discrimination

Robotics, Autonomous Learning and the Algorithm: Delineating Criminal Responsibility and Legal Liability in the New Machine Age

Cyberspace, Privacy and Data Protection

From Private to Public: The inter-operability and governance of private sector algorithmic solutions in the public sector

Technological Solutions for Fair Unsupervised AI

Parliaments and Artificial Intelligence: Oversight, Regulation and Policy

When is your smart device my problem?

Looking through the hole in your Bitcoin wallet

The Regulation of risk and security in crypto-currency transactions: how is a ‘good transaction’ detected and separated from a ‘bad one’ in a context in which complex and novel legal, economic and moral logics are involved?

Breaking barriers to criminal justice communication; a secure information system approach

Debordering and Rebordering in Cyberspace: Technological, Legal and Political Aspects

Algorithmic Ethics and ‘Pattern-of-Life’ Analysis: The Automation of Everyday Life

Emerging Cyber Bordering Technologies

Cyberborder Development, Defence and Penetration: Technological and Governmental Aspects

Borders, Security Technologies, Data Gathering and Data Sharing

A Technology of Policing Delivery

Enhancing Human Rights and Ethical Applications of the Law: Stop & Search

The Vigilant Image: Documentary Technologies in the Age of Global (In) Security

Step One

Before you apply you will need to explore with our Project Contacts whether your area of research interest can be supervised and supported. Please see the lead supervisor indicated within each project document above.

In addition to the specific projects listed under each priority theme, applicants may propose their own interdisciplinary topic that aligns with one or more of the priority themes.

In this case, please contact Professor Cathal McCall as soon as possible

Step Two

Complete an Online Application Form.

All applications must be made via the Queen's University Applications Portal.

You must include the code LINCS20 on your application form to indicate that you wish to be considered for a LINCS award.

Applicants should choose the option “I wish to be considered for external funding” and then enter LINCS20 in the free text box which follows.

Completing your Application

• All applicants must provide an up-to-date CV; this should be uploaded to the Admissions Portal as a separate document*
• All applicants are required to provide a 400-800 word statement detailing how their PhD will address the interdisciplinary aspects of the LINCS programme
• Applicants wishing to propose an interdisciplinary PhD topic of their own, that aligns with one or more of the LINCS priority themes, must upload a 400-800 word research proposal that describes the topic as a separate document.* This research proposal must clearly identify a potential supervisory team and which of the themes it relates to
• Applicants must provide the name of an Academic Referee in support. Failure to provide a referee will result in the application being rejected
• Please note, failure to include the reference LINCS20 in the free text box may result in your application not being allocated or considered for funding.

*Please note that only one document can be uploaded. You must combine your CV and Research Proposal into one document (word or PDF).

Eligibility Criteria and Guidance Notes

• Applicants must hold a minimum 2nd Class Upper Degree (2:1) or equivalent qualification in a relevant Technology, Social Science or Humanities Based subject

• Applicants must be a UK or EU citizen

• Applications from non-UK or non-EU citizens may be accepted on an exceptional basis but additional funding to cover International student fees is not available and must be secured by the applicant prior to starting

• Applicants must be proficient in both writing and speaking in English

• Successful applicants must be prepared to live and work in Northern Ireland for the duration of their studies

• Interested candidates must consult the main topic contact at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss their research plans and application, or Professor Cathal McCall in relation to an Open Proposal

• To download the Guidance Notes document, please click here.

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 4.00PM (GMT) ON TUESDAY 14 JANUARY 2020