Join the lab

DPhil (PhD) Students

We are typically recruiting 1–2 motivated students to start a PhD (called a DPhil at Oxford) each year, with the next start in Fall 2027. Projects are defined in close collaboration with the student, but could tackle, for example: critical looks at the use and impact of privacy-enhancing technologies on academic research and society, the impact of AI and algorithms on digital platforms and data sharing, and the use and misuse of machine learning for social good. As a general rule, we are interested in human-centred and critical approaches to study data-centric technology, algorithm auditing, and privacy engineering.

We are first looking for candidates with a background in applied mathematics, computer science and HCI, and complex systems to critically explore the harms of technology, answer novel questions with the potential to change how people, policymakers, and civil society engage with technology, and co-design better digital futures.

Diversity

The Oxford Internet Institute is committed to enhancing diversity and promoting equality of opportunity amongst all our staff and students. We particularly encourage applicants of all backgrounds and ages to apply, in particular women, disabled, BAME, LGBTQIA+ candidates as well as candidates from working-class backgrounds who face difficulties accessing academia, and we will do our best to support your application. oSTEM and Queer in AI have been running a financial aid support scheme to help cover admission costs (as well as application reviews!), which will hopefully run this year too.

Logistics

The OII uses a centralised application system on which the full application (CV, research statement, transcripts, and recommendation letters) needs to be submitted by the deadline (please select Dr. Luc Rocher as the “proposed supervisor”). The departmental deadline will be early January 2027 for final applications. Interested candidates are, however, strongly encouraged to contact Luc in Fall 2026 to discuss proposal, funding, and research direction.

Inquiries

If you have any additional queries, please send an email titled ‘OII DPhil Supervision FIRSTNAME LASTNAME’ at x@y with x=luc.rocher and y=oii.ox.ac.uk. In your email, please attach your CV and briefly:

1. introduce yourself,
2. suggest how our research interests complement each other,
3. suggest 2-3 areas of research you’d be interested to work on. While your research can and will change over time, do note that the OII and scholarship committees will decide to admit you based on your research proposal, so you need a clear proposal by January 2027.

Please see the following pages for advice on how to send emails to faculty and writing a CV (as well as sample CVs).

©OUImages/Toby Ord

Additional Researcher positions

If you want to propose joining the lab on an externally-funded postdoctoral scholarship, please get in touch.

Funding available to applicants of all nationalities, regardless of their UK residency status:

• EU Marie-Curie (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship (PF) (with some mobility restrictions)
• Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Research Fellowship
• Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship
• Branco Weiss Fellowship (multidisciplinary, with a focus on societal impact)

For applicants based in the UK or with a UK degree:

• ESRC postdoctoral fellowships (less than 12months after PhD)
• Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship
• British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships (also open to EEA applicants)

For applicants based abroad:

• JSPS Overseas Research Fellowship (Japan)
• Canon Foundation Fellowship (Japan)
• US-UK Fulbright Scholars Fellowship (USA)
• NWO Rubicon Fellowship (NL)
• SNSF Early Postdoc.Mobility Fellowship (CH)
• FNRS Mobility World (BE) (with ongoing BE position)
• A number of other countries have similar schemes, please check with your national research council.

Like other UK universities, Oxford uses a Full Economic Cost (FEC) recovery model, ensuring that the full costs of research, not only salary, are covered. Funding that only covers salary, or covers it partially (like the Leverhulme fellowships), might be feasible at OII. Please get in touch to discuss—it might mean that you need to apply as a visiting scholar with an affiliation to your home institution.

©OUImages/Jill Walker

Prospective Visitors and Internships

The Oxford Internet Institute welcome applications from academic scholars and PhD students who wish to spend a few months at Oxford. We have a visitor programme, with a limited number of places across the department. We also have a few spots across the department for visiting DPhil (PhD) students. Please contact Luc in advance if you would like to visit and collaborate.

More information on the OII page of the Visitor Programme, and on the University page for recognised students.