PhD Opportunity – Finance and AI Research Lab
This studentship is fully funded by a NI Department for the Economy Co-operative Award in Science and Technology for three years, covering all fees and providing a stipend to cover living expenses. Applications close 29th March 2024,
Overview
The research student will work closely with their academic supervisors and the NI Executive Office (TEO) to explore whether there is a welfare argument for removing divisive displays and expressions of identity from public spaces in Northern Ireland.
Public spaces in Northern Ireland (NI) are often demarcated with flags, emblems and symbols to express political allegiances but many in this divided society perceive them as intimidating. Our interdisciplinary project combines computer science, finance and political geography to describe the spatial distribution of public expressions of cultural identity and quantify the welfare costs of these displays.
The PhD candidate will apply computer vision and machine learning techniques to street view imagery to identify and geolocate cultural identifiers. In the first study, the research student will establish the prevalence of the more disputed displays supporting paramilitaries or near interfaces, places of worship, school and public services. In the second study, the research student will test for the existence of purported negative effects of cultural identifiers on house prices by creating variables for inclusion in a hedonic house price regression. This will allow quantifying any direct effects on house prices but also potential secondary effects on discretionary spending and new business creation. In the third study, the research student will test for the existence of any negative effects of the intensity and nature of cultural displays on rates of GP prescribing for anxiolytics and antidepressants.
The PhD candidate will complete a 3-month TEO placement gaining a wealth of experience from working alongside statistical and policy staff. They will be placed within the TEO Analytical Unit and will see the policy life cycle first hand where research influences evidence-led policy.
Applications now open
Applicants must apply with a CV and one-page explanation of why they are ideal for this studentship.
Successful candidates will be part of the vibrant and highly supportive research culture within Queen’s Business School. Successful candidates will be based in Belfast.
The post is open to start immediately, but no later than 1 October 2024. A final offer is subject to contract. The candidate must be ordinarily resident in the UK for a full three year period before starting the studentship.
Candidates should ideally hold or be in the process of completing a Master’s degree in economics, finance, geography, politics or maths/computer science or related degree.
Alternatively, applicants with an undergraduate degree may be considered if they have completed substantive quantitative training as part of that degree, and can additionally demonstrate significant post-graduation research experience, for example by having completed a “predoc” research assistance scheme.
APPLY NOW - Enter the text “RFLAGQBS” into the funding field.
Informal enquiries may be directed to: Dr Barry Quinn b.quinn@qub.ac.uk or Prof Declan French declan.french@qub.ac.uk
Salary Scale: Full award (covering full fees, stipend and travel costs). The UKRI full stipend for 2023-24 is £18,622 (tax free) pa.
The University is committed to an Equal Opportunities Policy.
Funding Information
Funding covers full fees (Home or International), plus a maintenance stipend for the duration of the studentship. Any work as a teaching assistant will be paid in addition to the stipend. Students can normally expect to serve as a teaching assistant in one first-year undergraduate finance module in each year of study.
