Home / Opportunities / PhD Studentship in Human-Computer Interaction and Critical Computing (Fixed Term) — Aspirational Computing Lab, Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge (ref NR50923)
United Kingdom · Department of Computer Science and Technology…
PhD Studentship in Human-Computer Interaction and Critical Computing (Fixed Term) — Aspirational Computing Lab, Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge (ref NR50923)
A funded 3.5-year PhD at the University of Cambridge's Department of Computer Science and Technology in the Aspirational Computing Lab. The project launches a "deceptive by design" research programme bridging human–computer interaction and critical computing — studying how conversational agents and digital interfaces persuade, deceive and create over-trust.
Why it is notable: Advertised as a university staff-style studentship posting (jobs.cam.ac.uk) rather than through the postgraduate admissions portal, so it rarely appears in "PhD scholarships UK" searches. The topic — deceptive AI interfaces — sits at a hot intersection of HCI, AI safety and tech policy, and the advert explicitly welcomes critical-computing angles (DEI, accessibility, misinformation) alongside experimental HCI.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Funded doctoral studentship
funds for the post are available for 3.5 years (fixed term). Fee basis (per official listing): applicants are expected to apply for the University Funding Competitions
in the event of an unsuccessful funding application, Dr. Seaborn may have the ability to award the successful candidate with a Home Rate Studentship. A successful international student would need to self-fund the difference between the home and international fees
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Masters/MPhilfor PhD
This scholarship is offered for PhD programs.
Who can apply
the official listing does not state nationality restrictions in the captured text — international applicants should verify fee coverage before applying. Qualifications: holding a first-class honours degree or equivalent; a Master's-level degree (or other postgraduate work) is highly desirable — relevant to HCI and/or critical computing and the proposed topic.
Experience
No experience required
Language Certificate
none stated in the captured text (Cambridge postgraduate admission normally requires English proficiency — verify on the admissions page before publishing); the advert stresses "solid communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and across disciplinary conventions".
Other Certificates
Degree certificates & transcripts
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Check your eligibility
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
the official listing does not state nationality restrictions in the captured text — international applicants should verify fee coverage before applying.…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Language
none stated in the captured text (Cambridge postgraduate admission normally requires English proficiency — verify on the admissions page before publishing); the advert stresses "solid communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and across disciplinary conventions".
02
Qualification
the official listing does not state nationality restrictions in the captured text — international applicants should verify fee coverage before applying
03
Documents
academic transcripts; CV; 2 academic references (applicant is responsible for ensuring both referees submit before the closing date); in the online form — Research Summary (brief outline of research p
Document checklist
01academic transcripts
022 academic references (applicant is responsible for ensuring both referees submit before the closing date)
03in the online form — Research Summary (brief outline of research proposal), Research Experience, Career Goals, and "Additional Information to Support Your Application"
04plus a research proposal in one PDF containing a ~2-page research proposal, a ~1-page outline of first-year deliverables, and bibliographic references on a fourth page.
Application fee
No fee — completely free
No separate scholarship application fee is published; confirm on the official page.
Visa, kept concise: Non-UK/Irish doctoral students need a Student visa.
Application Procedure
4 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Contact Dr. Seaborn (katie.seaborn@cst.cam.ac.uk) IN ADVANCE —
mandatory per the official advert ("Applicants must contact Dr. Seaborn in advance to assess topic and background fit"; show evidence of engagement with the advert, Dr. Seaborn's research, and familiarization with the
→
02
Develop a specific research question with methodology
and research plan within the advertised topic areas.
→
03
Apply online via the University's Applicant Portal
for the PhD in Computer Science (https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cscspdpcs) — quote reference NR50923 in the Research Topic field so the application is routed to Dr. Seaborn.
↓
04
Submit by the deadline below. Note
the advert states applications for academic year 2027/2028 open mid-September 2026; all written statements must be produced entirely without AI assistance.
Application milestones
2 Dec 2026
Application deadline
2 Sep 2026
Application deadline
2026
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official Department of Computer Science and Technology… platform.
2 Dec 2026 — (official University of Cambridge vacancies listing: posted 2 September 2026, closes 2 December 2026;…
Who can apply?
the official listing does not state nationality restrictions in the captured text — international applicants should verify fee coverage before applying. Qualifications: holding a first-class honours degree or equivalent; a Master's-level degree (or other postgraduate work) is highly desirable — relevant to HCI and/or critical computing and the proposed topic.
What does the scholarship cover?
Funded doctoral studentship; funds for the post are available for 3.5 years (fixed term). Fee basis (per official listing): applicants are expected to apply for the University Funding Competitions; in the event of an unsuccessful funding application, Dr. Seaborn may have the ability to award the successful candidate with a Home Rate Studentship. A successful international student would need to self-fund the difference between the home and international fees
Where do I apply?
Through the official application portal linked in the Official links section on this page.
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
United Kingdom · Department of Computer Science and Technology…