A digitalised and automated dashboard for agent-based forced displacement simulations
We are recruiting new Doctoral Researchers to our EPSRC funded Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) PhD studentships starting 1 October 2024. Applications are invited for the project title “A digitalised and automated dashboard for agent-based forced displacement simulations”.
Successful applicants will receive an annual stipend (bursary) of £21,237, including inner London weighting, plus payment of their full-time home tuition fees for a period of 42 months (3.5 years).
You should be eligible for home (UK) tuition fees there are a very limited number (no more than three) of studentships available to overseas applicants, including EU nationals, who meet the academic entry criteria including English Language proficiency.
You will join the internationally recognised researchers in the Department of Computer Science research and PhD programmes | ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½
The Project
Agent-based modelling (ABM) is a computational approach facilitating autonomous interactions among a heterogeneous mix of many agents within an environment, suitable for modelling complex systems with active objects related to time, event or behaviour. ABM has broadened the modelling of human behaviour, movement patterns, and displacement in society and geography. Specifically, is an ABM code forecasting conflict-induced forced displacement, optimised for simplicity and flexibility.  
However, constructing and executing scenarios with Flee requires technical expertise and time, spanning from several weeks to months, which detracts from societal value. While many humanitarian organisations seek insights within a few days. Hence, this PhD project aims to investigate and propose the pre-eminent UI/UX theory for developing an innovative digitised dashboard, which will produce meaningful forced displacement forecasts in a day or less through a definable user specification and point-and-click interactions. Importantly, it will address the need for rapid awareness in the humanitarian sector.  
Please contact Dr Diana Suleimenova at Diana.Suleimenova@brunel.ac.uk for an informal discussion about the studentships.
Eligibility
Applicants will have or be expected to receive a first or upper-second class honours degree in an Engineering, Computer Science, Design, Mathematics, Physics or a similar discipline. A Postgraduate Masters degree is not required but may be an advantage.
Skills and Experience
Applicants will be required to demonstrate the following skills:
- Proficiency in Python programming;
- Familiarity with principles of good software engineering, modelling and/or simulation, and basic algorithms;
- Experience with academic writing (e.g., in the form of a clear and concisely written BSc dissertation). 
You should be highly motivated, able to work independently as well as in a team, collaborate with others and have good communication skills.
How to apply
There are two stages of the application:
- Applicants must submit the pre-application form via the following link
by 16.00 on Friday 5th April 2024.
- 2. If you are shortlisted for the interview, you will be asked to email the following documentation in a single PDF file to cedps-studentships@brunel.ac.uk within 72hrs.
- Your up-to-date CV;
- Your Undergraduate degree certificate(s) and transcript(s) essential;
- Your Postgraduate Masters degree certificate(s) and transcript(s) if applicable;
- Your valid English Language qualification of IELTS 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in each section) or equivalent, if applicable;
- Contact details for TWO referees, one of which can be an academic member of staff in the College.
Applicants should therefore ensure that they have all of this information in case they are shortlisted.
Interviews will take place in April/May 2024.