Creative Digital Technologies and Fabrication

An opportunity to apply for two funded full-time PhD at The Bridge Lab, College of Arts, Technology and Environment, UWE Bristol.  

Ref: 2425-OCT-CATE02

The expected start date of this studentship is 1 October 2024.

The closing date for applications is 14 June 2024.

We are delighted to offer two fully funded PhD studentships at the brand new ‘The Bridge’ research lab, part of the College of Arts, Technology and Environment, UWE Bristol.

The Bridge is an interdisciplinary research lab funded by a £4M investment from the Art and Humanities Research Council, West of England Combined Authorities and UWE Bristol. The lab is currently under development and will have over 500m2 of studio space within Bristol Robotics Lab at UWE Bristol's Frenchay Campus.

The vision with the lab is to establish a research space which can truly bring together skills and knowledge from diverse disciplines in art, design, science and robotics. Another key vision for the lab is to bridge research focused on virtual and immersive environments with projects that are centred on explorations with physical media. 

We are looking to recruit one PhD candidate in the broad area of digital manufacturing and robotic fabrication, with suggestion for research areas listed below: 

• Large scale design and fabrication with 6 axis robotic arms
• Sustainable and/or circular digital design and fabrication
• Photogrammetry, 3D scanning and reverse engineering
• Creative digital toolmaking
• 3D printing with bio-composites
• Innovative hybrid manufacturing (additive and subtractive) 
• Digital design and fabrication for sustainable construction and architecture 
• Democratisation of design and fabrication technologies
• Digital design and fabrication with generative AI.

This PhD will have a strong focus on practice-oriented and practical research and would be suitable for candidates with design, architecture or creative technology backgrounds. Alternatively, the candidate might have a science background with a relevant knowledge base in material science, computer technologies, robotics or engineering but with an interest in applying these skills in interdisciplinary research with creative design approaches.

The other PhD opportunity has a wide remit within the broad area of creative digital technologies and digital culture research.  

We invite applications from well-qualified students whose research interests connect with ours, and who are looking to work with these indicative research areas:

• Evolving Media and Experimental Production
• Expressive and Creative Human Computer Interaction
• Screen Industries
• Immersive Technologies and Virtual Production 
• Shape changing and deformable interfaces
• Meta-design for creative technology
• Immersive Arts, Technologies and Virtual Production

For both PhDs we are looking to supervise candidates with an interdisciplinary team and approach drawing on knowledge and input from research centres and groups across the College of Art Design and Environment (CATE) and beyond.

We are particularly looking for candidates who are interested in undertaking practical research with the extensive facilities in the new lab in areas listed in this UWE Bristol Research, Business and Innovation blog post.  We are asking candidates to provide a document with a brief outline proposal of their project (maximum one page A4). 

The project and team are committed to meaningful improvement and change in terms of inclusion and accessibility. Diversity enhances research and we welcome applications from those who will bring balance to our team, including those from communities who experience racism, sexism, ableism or any other barriers.

For an informal discussion about the studentship, please email Tavs Jorgensen at tavs.jorgensen@uwe.ac.uk.

The studentship is available from 1 October 2024 for a period of three and half years, subject to satisfactory progress. It includes a tax exempt stipend, which is currently £18,622 per annum (23/24 academic year). 

In addition, full-time tuition fees will be covered for up to three years. 

Applicants must have an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in a closely related subject to the research topics, along with strong written and spoken communication skills.

A recognised English language qualification is required.

Please submit your application online. When prompted use the reference number 2425-OCT-CATE02.

Supporting documentation

 You will need to upload your research proposal, all your degree certificates and transcripts and your proof of English language proficiency as attachments to your application, so please have these available when you complete the application form.

References

You will need to provide details of two referees as part of your application. At least one referee must be an academic referee from the institution that conferred your highest degree. Your referee will be asked for a reference at the time you submit your application, so please ensure that your nominated referees are willing and able to provide references within 14 days of your application being submitted.

The closing date for applications is 14 June 2024.

It is expected that interviews will take place during the week commencing 1 July 2024. If you have not heard from us by this time, we thank you for your application but on this occasion you have not been successful