PhD Studentship in partnership with Unilever

Our digital identities will define the interfaces to the future services that we will use for entertainment, wellbeing, government, transport, energy, retail and finance. They will be constructed from our location history, our personal data, and digital records that capture who, and where, we are and the histories of our digital, and increasingly our physical and social, interactions.

The Horizon Centre for Doctoral Training in My Life in Data will therefore train a community of PhD students with the interdisciplinary skills to address the challenge of digital identity and personal data for the 21st century.

We are recruiting one PhD student to carry out research in partnership with Unilever with a focus on Visual Interface Design for Feedback of Everyday Data

The project aims to explore the use of computational methods for personal data visualization.  Unilever is a producer of fast-moving consumer goods.  As digital sensing becomes increasingly commonplace in consumer products, for example with wearable devices and smart appliances, being able to show the user the data that relates to their own everyday activities with products offers interesting research challenges.  Developing effective visualisation methods for this class of data including structuring the interaction with the user is a highly relevant scientific requirement when linked to digital sensing opportunities.  The work relates to two Research Areas: (i) Human-Computer Interaction, in the development of novel data interfaces, and for personal data domains, the consideration of social, ethical and human aspects. (ii) Graphics and Visualisation, for visualisation of information and manipulation of visual content.

Candidates are expected to have a background in computer science, psychology or graphic design for visualisation. Candidates with backgrounds in other STEM subjects will also be considered, if they can demonstrate capabilities in data analytics.

The student will benefit from:

• A fully-funded four-year PhD programme that integrates a leading-edge research project with research training in interdisciplinary skills.


• At least one internship with our partner.


• An enhanced stipend of £16,400 per annum as well as a personal laptop.

We have funding for UK/Home students. Download application form from http://www.horizon.ac.uk/Current-Opportunities and return by email with a CV, transcripts, references and personal statement to Emma.Juggins@Nottingham.ac.uk.

Closing date: 23 June 2016

Shortlisting date: 30 June 2016

Interview date: 19 July 2016