The Cambridge ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership [CAM-DTP] is pleased to offer an interdisciplinary studentship available for admission in October 2025.
The studentship will be co-supervised by Dr Mirjana Bozic (Department of Psychology), Prof Brechtje Post (Theoretical and Applied Linguistics) and Dr Elaine Scmidt (Cambridge University Press and Assessment).
DTP students will acquire a unique set of skills that will equip them for high-profile careers as leading social scientists, in academia or in other government, industrial, commercial and third sector organisations, either in the UK or elsewhere.
Project description: This project integrates cognitive research with digital technology to develop an individualized approach to second language learning.
Tailoring instruction to students' abilities improves outcomes, while using multiple languages brings cognitive, cultural and economic benefits to individuals and society. Language learning is thus an obvious candidate for tailored instruction. Yet it is still dominated by one-size-fits-all approach. This has become a pressing issue as language education now faces a widening participation crisis. Many students, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, are increasingly unable to access language programmes.
Digital technologies could help with this. Individualised language learning through digital technologies can make language learning more accessible, levelling the playing field for applicants with barriers to traditional language learning. They can increase flexibility, be more cost-effective, and most importantly be tailored to individual needs.
Our project will first identify key cognitive and environmental predictors of second language learning. It will focus on learning English as a second language, although the findings will be applicable generally. Collaborating with Cambridge University Press and Assessment, a world leading provider of language programmes, we will then create a digitally based method of individualised instruction, tailored to learners' unique predictors. We focus on adolescents as the population with a unique learning potential and motivation for learning a second language.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3.5 years in the first instance.
ESRC Research Priority Area: Digital Society
The ideal student will have a language sciences or psychology background with theoretical knowledge of language processing and familiarity with experimental design with human participants. They will also have strong and demonstrable technical and programming skills. Candidates need to have excellent written and oral communication skills, in English.
CAM-DTP studentships support 3.5 - 4.5 years of full-time study. The studentship provides:
Tuition fees up to the value of the national UKRI rate for Home students; international students are welcome to apply but will need additional scholarships, from alternative sources, to fund the remainder of their fees and any immigration costs;
An annual tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (£19,237 in 24/25 for full time students), and a contribution towards research and training costs;
A personalised training programme, to develop research, communication, employability and personal skills;
Support to carry out a required three-month placement, known as an Innovation Fellowship, with an academic or non-academic partner during the course of the studentship.
The successful candidate will be required to submit their PhD within the duration of the studentship award.
What to do next You can find out more about the Cambridge ESRC DTP at: https://www.esrcdtp.group.cam.ac.uk . You can find out more about the Department of Psychology at https://www.psychol.cam.ac.uk/; Theoretical and Applied Linguistics at https://www.mmll.cam.ac.uk/dtal and Cambridge University Press and Assessment at https://www.cambridge.org/. Please address any questions about this studentship to Dr Mirjana Bozic at mb383@cam.ac.uk, Prof Brechtje Post at bmbp2@cam.ac.uk, or Dr Elaine Scmidt at aeis2@cam.ac.uk.
Applications for this studentship should be made to the Department of Psychology. The course code is BLPC22 (PhD in Psychology). https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/application-process/how-do-i-apply
The closing date for applications will be 7 January 2025.
With your application you will be required to submit (i) a draft research proposal outlining your suitability, why you are interested in pursuing a PhD in this area, your background and research interests, familiarity with the questions raised by this research. (ii) your CV (iii) copies of your academic transcripts (iv) details of two academic referees.
Please quote reference PJ44221 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.