DCU Institute of Education
DCU Institute of Education
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PhD Scholarship in AI Assessment

Centre for Assessment Research, Policy and Practice in Education (CARPE)

Dublin City University (DCU) is a research-intensive, globally engaged, dynamic institution that is distinguished by both the quality and impact of its graduates and its focus on the translation of knowledge into societal and economic benefits. The Institute of Education (IoE) at DCU is the largest body of educational expertise and the only faculty of education in Ireland.

The Centre for Assessment Research, Policy and Practice in Education (CARPE) is a core element of DCU’s IoE, led by Prof Panadero, an international scholar in the educational assessment and self-regulated learning fields. This PhD scholarship is supported by Microsoft, a leading, worldwide provider of AI technology with a significant operations base in Ireland. CARPE is now offering a four year* fully-funded PhD Scholarship. This represents a unique opportunity to design and implement an innovative research project in the area of assessment, under the supervision of Prof Ernesto Panadero and Dr Darina Scully. The successful candidate will become a core member of the established research team at CARPE and will also have the opportunity to connect and collaborate with international researchers in the field. (*Should the duration of the research project exceed four years, the successful candidate will be expected to
self-fund from this point onwards.)

In a time marked by increasing globalisation, technology infusion and social change, both the education sector and the technology industry are facing significant challenges in terms of how best to design and deliver authentic, relevant, and fair assessments. It is, accordingly, an exciting time to be a scholar in this field.

Scholarship Details

The research project will focus on a contemporary issue pertinent to the field of assessment (e.g., harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence to improve assessment design and/or delivery, use of AI as feedback provider), and the outcomes will be of interest to the educational and educational psychology communities. The specifics of the project will be developed in agreement between the successful candidate, supervisors and funders.

The successful candidate will be engaged full-time in their research and will be based on DCU St Patrick’s Campus. In addition to completing their doctoral thesis, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to related research outputs in the form of academic papers, industry reports and/or presentations at conferences in Ireland and abroad, and to engage in professional development courses as required by DCU’s Academic Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees.

An annual package of up to € 34,500 per annum for a maximum of 4 years comprising:

  • Fee contribution of up to €5,000 per annum
  • Tax-exempt stipend of €25,000 per annum
  • Research expense funding of €4,500 per annum to purchase research materials, software, research stays, travel to conferences - to be managed through DCU supervisor

Criteria

Applicants should have:

  • a sound working knowledge of key issues in the field of educational assessment and educational psychology, particularly those relating to classroom assessment. Expertise in AI use will be valuable.
  • an undergraduate and Master’s degree (completed or very close to completion) in which research method (e.g., quantitative research) formed an important component.
  • the ability to conceptualise research projects pertinent to the design, development and/or delivery of AI assessment.
  • high level competence in written and oral communication through English
  • the ability to work independently and collaboratively in meeting demanding research goals.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed. It should also be noted that the award is contingent on the applicant meeting all the requirements for admission to doctoral studies at DCU (https://www.dcu.ie/instituteofeducation/phdmasters-research-application).

To Apply

Please email the following documents as a single pdf to carpe@dcu.ie, with Microsoft PhD Scholarship 2024 in the subject bar of the email:

  • Cover letter
  • Full curriculum vitae, including a list of publications (if any) as author/co-author, and the names of two academic referees
  • A copy of your Master’s dissertation or link to an electronic copy if held in an institutional repository (or if the candidate is close to completing a Master’s, a statement including information about the Master’s programme and projected time of completion)
  • Draft research proposal: please use the template in the DCU Postgraduate Research Studies Application Form (pages 4-6) available at https://www.dcu.ie/instituteofeducation/phdmasters-research-application
    Note: The purpose of this draft proposal is to allow the candidate to demonstrate the necessary competencies. Following the selection process, the proposal will probably undergo substantial changes and refinement.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm (Irish time) on Friday, 30th September 2024.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Prof Ernesto Panadero and Dr Darina Scully at carpe@dcu.ie