PhD studentship in history of space science and technology at UCL
AHRC-Science Museum PhD Studentship at UCL
‘From London to Mars, and Back to London: People, Objects and the History of UK Space Science’
Applications are invited for a PhD studentship at
University College London on the history of UK space science and
technology. The student would be based at the Department of Science and
Technology Studies
(STS) at UCL, and would start in September 2019. Supervisors are: Jon
Agar (STS, UCL), Doug Millard (Science Museum) and Lucie Green (Mullard
Space Science Laboratory, UCL).
The opportunity is to research a new history of UK
space science, one that will i) link and deepen understanding of two
major collections of the material culture of space science, specifically
objects in the
collections of the Science Museum Group and Mullard Space Science
Laboratory; ii) capture fast-disappearing oral history of British space
science; iii) by linking the personal to the material, explore a social
and cultural history of a research school of extraordinary
technological reach and scientific exploration; iv) be completed in
time to inform and shape major ongoing plans for the planned new space
gallery at the Science Museum. Methodologically, the project entails
training and application in archival, object collection
and oral history approaches.
Applicants are generally expected to hold a minimum
of a 2.i degree at undergraduate level in an appropriate subject, plus a
recognised postgraduate programme of research training (ie MSc) or
substantial equivalent
experience in a relevant specialist area.
The (typically three-year full-time) studentship is
part of the Collaborative Doctoral Programme, funded by the Arts and
Humanities Research Council (AHRC) through a consortium including the
Science Museum
Group. The full-time stipend for 2019/20 is £17,559.
More information about the Department of Science and Technology Studies can be found here:
www.ucl.ac.uk/sts
Applicants should send: i) a CV and ii) a statement of interest (maximum 2 pages) to Professor Jon Agar (jonathan.agar@ucl.ac.uk)
by 8 July 2019
Interview for the studentship will take place on 15 July 2019
Informal inquiries are welcome. Please contact Jon Agar if you have further questions.