PhD Studentship - Algorithmic Warfare and Civilian Harm

The School of Law is delighted to announce a PhD studentship, funded as a Collaborative Studentship by the Department for the Economy (DfE) and Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights. The successful candidate will research the topic of ‘Algorithmic Warfare and Civilian Harm’, spending part of their time on a six-month placement at Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights, Whitehall office as an integral part of their research.

What the studentship will cover:

• The funded studentship will cover UK tuition fees, plus a DfE stipend, for a maximum of three years. For further details re eligibility criteria (including academic, citizenship and residency criteria) please click on the DfE Research Eligibility Guidance Notes.
• The researcher will have standard access to facilities available in the School of Law and the Graduate School at Queen’s University and will also have access to desk space at Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights. During their time at Ceasefire the researcher will engage in regular weekly sessions with Ceasefire’s Director to discuss developments in civilian rights and approaches to military AI, participate in meetings, seminars and events organised by Ceasefire or collaborating organisations, including potentially with decision-makers in Westminster and Whitehall, and will have direct access to Ceasefire’s information resources, including databases on civilian harm in specific conflict situations. Ceasefire will provide extensive mentoring and guidance for the researcher during their studentship including workplace supervision by Ceasefire’s Advocacy Officer on military accountability.

Applicants must complete the application form on the Queen’s University Postgraduate Applications Portal along with an up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) and a proposal of up to 1500 words on how you would tackle the issue of AI, armed conflict and civilian harm through the PhD and what your contribution would be within the existing literature. The paper should demonstrate an understanding of key concepts in law and of core research methods. The paper should engage with international humanitarian law and any other relevant international law field or related discipline.

This studentship is subject to final contract.

The closing date for applications is Thursday 30 January 2025 at 4pm

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed (online) during February at a time and date to be arranged.

Candidates will be notified by March of the outcome of their application.

Please insert the code “CC25” into the Funding section within your application form.

Eligibility

• UK residents: fees plus stipend. 
• Other EU residents: fees only.
• Please note this studentship is not available to international students.
• Study can only be undertaken on a full-time basis from October 2025

Qualifications 

• An Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in law, plus a Master's degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) with an average above 60%.
• Applicants with an Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in law who are currently studying a Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) will also be considered.
• Applicants with an Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in law plus evidence of ability to conduct independent and original research will be considered on a case by case basis.

Desirable: Experience of working on civilian harm, humanitarian civilian protection or OSINT, working in a military environment and/or study of AI/Law with Technology or knowledge of UK policymaking.

For further details re eligibility criteria (including academic, citizenship and residency criteria) please see the DfE Research Eligibility Guidance Notes.

Research project

Title: Algorithmic Warfare and Civilian Harm

Summary: This research project has been co-designed with Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights. The project will explore the increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), algorithms and AI-decision support systems in armed conflict and its implications for civilian harm. The research would develop via library-based research and interviews.  Access to expert working groups, including the Atrocity Prevention Working Group, the NGO Working Group on Protection of Civilians, and the UK Campaign to Stop Killer Robots would be facilitated by Ceasefire.

The project will consider:

1. A critical examination of the protection of civilians in contemporary armed conflict and the implications of AI in relation to international norms (international humanitarian law, international criminal law and human rights).
2. Analysis of the place of AI-decision support systems in targeting and civilian harm, damage assessment and evidence collection.
3. Development of critical insights into the implications of drones and lethal autonomous weapons on international principles of dignity, humanity, unnecessary suffering and precaution.

Further information: Contact Professor Luke Moffett (l.moffett@qub.ac.uk)