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ERC SYNDATA PhD Studentship

The European Research Council funded project, ‘The Ethics of Synthetic Data in the Age of Machine Learning and AI’ (SYNDATA), is now advertising a PhD scholarship to be based in the Department of Sociology at the University of York.

Funding
Stipend (UKRI rate) and full fee waiver
Academic year
2026/27
Open to
International (including EU), International (non-EU) and UK (home) students
Qualification level
Postgraduate research
Number available
1

Applications for 2026/27 are open until Friday 10 April 2026, 4pm BST

The SYNDATA project is led by Dr Benjamin Jacobsen, who is based at the University of York, UK. The project aims to better understand the ethical and political consequences of synthetic data for contemporary societies.

The successful applicant will be working on a project that explores the impact of synthetic data, algorithms, and generative AI and how these are transforming society and culture.

The PhD scholarship is full-time and will include a full stipend at UKRI level and tuition fees at the UK fee rate.

Further information is available on the candidate information document.

ERC SYNDATA PhD Studentship contact details

Dr Benjamin Jacobsen
benjamin.jacobsen@york.ac.uk

Eligibility

Open to International (including EU), International (non-EU) and UK (home) students.

Open to students applying for a full time PhD in Sociology only.

Applicants will need to have applied for the PhD programme by 10 April 2026, indicating on their application that they wish to be considered for the ERC funded SYNDATA PhD scholarship.

How to apply

Application deadline: Friday 10 April 2026, 4pm BST

To apply for the studentship, please complete a PhD Sociology application including:

  1. CV
  2. Research proposal further to the guidance in the candidate brief
  3. Complete the personal statement addressing the following three topics:
    1. Your interest in the project and your fit with the Department of Sociology
    2. How you will apply your current skills, knowledge and experience to undertake this PhD
    3. How the project fits into your career plans and ambitions.
How we allocate

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed during the week commencing the 4 May.

Terms and conditions

Open to students applying for a full time, on-campus PhD in Sociology only.