Macroeconomics, complexity, machine learning.

PhD Studentship: Building a new macroeconomics with complexity science and machine learning (2020)

What you get

£15,609 stipend, plus fees.

You will receive a tax-free stipend at a standard rate of £15,609 per year for three years. In addition, your fees will be waived for three years at the Home rate.

Type of award

Postgraduate Research

PhD project

A fully funded 3-year PhD position is available to work with Dr Adam Barrett applying complexity science and machine learning tools to macroeconomics, in an inter-disciplinary environment encompassing the Data Intensive Science Centre (DISCUS) and the Evolutionary and Adaptive Systems group in the Department of Informatics at the University of Sussex.

There is a choice of precise topic within this general area, and candidates should develop a project proposal that is creative and ambitious in addressing an important question,

yet is realistic. Importantly, the project should employ data analysis and/or modelling techniques from beyond the traditional general equilibrium toolkit. Possible topics include:

• Post-growth macroeconomics, e.g., investigating how a sustained period with little or no GDP/productivity growth might impact the frequency and severity of recessions, bankruptcies, financial dynamics, and/or inequality.
• Modern monetary theory, e.g., seeking insights into the limits of government deficit, via study of dynamics of inflation, investment, currency value, etc.

Informal enquiries about project ideas are welcomed at adam.barrett@sussex.ac.uk . Experience in quantitative research methods and programming are essential. Previous experience in economics is desirable but not essential, and a `pluralist’ approach is encouraged.

The Data Intensive Science Centre (DISCUS) brings together experts from various disciplines across the School of Engineering and Informatics and the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and seeks to address real social and economic challenges by applying advanced data analysis and modelling techniques. The internationally prominent Evolutionary and Adaptive Systems group has a long history of developing distinctive ways of thinking about problems in the biological and computational sciences, and applying insights to and from other disciplines.

There is potential for collaboration with the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), which is recognised as a leading centre of interdisciplinary research on science, technology and innovation policy, and for pluralist approaches to economics. The University of Sussex has a beautiful campus on the outskirts of the lively seaside town of Brighton. The University also benefits from the proximity to London, which is 1 hour away from Brighton by train.

Eligibility

The studentship is open to UK, EU, and Overseas applicants.

Deadline

How to apply

Apply online for a full time PhD in Informatics using our step by step guide (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply). Here you will also find details of our entry requirements.

Please clearly state on your application form that you are applying for the ‘Building a new macroeconomics with complexity science and machine learning’ Scholarship, and state ‘Dr Adam Barrett’ as your potential supervisor.

Contact us

Informal enquiries about project ideas are welcomed at adam.barrett@sussex.ac.uk. Contact phd.informatics@sussex.ac.uk if you have a question about the progress of your application.