ESRC CAM DTP Studentship (Fixed Term)

CAM-DTP ESRC Studentship, 2026 PHD ENTRY

Supervisor-Led Topic Proposal: AI-Enhanced Assessment in Higher Education

DEPARTMENT/LOCATION: Department of Psychology, Institute for Technology and Humanity, Digital Education Futures Initiative (DEFI) Innovation Lab; University of Cambridge

The Cambridge ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership [CAM-DTP] is pleased to offer an interdisciplinary studentship available for admission in October 2026.

The studentship will be co-supervised by Dr Deborah Talmi (Department of Psychology), Dr Alexandru Marcoci (Institute for Technology and Humanity) and Dr Imogen Casebourne (Digital Education Futures Initiative (DEFI) Innovation Lab).

Project description: As AI transforms higher education, we must empirically investigate how it can complement and extend rather than replace human expertise in assessment and feedback. This PhD will examine AI-supported grading and feedback through systematic research addressing critical questions about effectiveness, implementation, equity, ethics and educational impact.

We invite applications to explore which human-AI collaboration models best maintain quality while improving efficiency, equity, inclusivity, and learning outcomes. This question is best addressed through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, and would benefit from experimental approaches that also consider moderating factors (e.g., discipline, assignment type, student demographics, educator practices, and institutional contexts).

We welcome candidates from education, computer science, psychology, human-computer interaction, or cognate fields. Applicants are also encouraged to propose complementary or novel directions that expand the scope of this inquiry.

Research skills you must have if applying for this topic: psychological research methods including both qualitative and quantitative methods training, basic statistical analysis skills, Masters of Office tools (eg Excel) and knowledge of educational theory.

Research skills it would be helpful to have if applying for this topic: Completed own empirical project (eg final-year dissertation in psychology), coding, understanding of assessment theory.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3.5 to 4.5 years in the first instance.

About the studentship

An ESRC-funded PhD studentship through CAM-DTP supports 3.5 - 4.5 years of full-time study. We particularly encourage applications from students wishing to study on a part-time basis (minimum 50% of full-time).

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 (£20,780 in 2025-26 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.

Successful candidates will be required to submit their PhD within the duration of the studentship award.

Studentships will start in October 2026 for both full-time and part-time applicants.

What to do next

You can find out more about the Cambridge ESRC DTP at: https://www.cam-dtp.ac.uk/

You can find out more about the Department of Psychology at https://www.psychol.cam.ac.uk/ Institute for Technology and Humanity at https://www.ith.cam.ac.uk/ and Digital Education Futures Initiative (DEFI) Innovation Lab at https://www.deficambridge.org/.

Please address any questions about this studentship to Dr Deborah Talmi at dt492@cam.ac.uk, Dr Alexandru Marcoci at am3159@cam.ac.uk, or Dr Imogen Casebourne at ic407@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 2 December 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.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3.5 to 4.5 years in the first instance.

Please quote reference PJ47683 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.

Key information

Department/location

Department of Psychology

Salary

£20,780

Reference

PJ47683

Category

Studentships

Date published

21 October 2025

Closing date

2 December 2025