PhD Position: Understanding and Reducing the Environmental Impact of Large Scale Video and AI S[...]

Are you interested in understanding and reducing the environmental impact of video streaming? This four-year studentship, hosted jointly by the BBC Research and Development Sustainable Engineering team and the Sustainable Computing group at the University of Bristol, offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the net zero transition of the media sector. You will work across our two teams to quantify the energy and carbon footprint of the UK Media sector, with a special focus on the BBC.

You will apply lifecycle assessment approaches based on first-hand knowledge of operating a global media service. As part of this, you will establish the current energy and greenhouse gas footprint from the use of data centres, networks, and user devices to deliver television. Tasks may also include investigating the energy implications of greater Artificial Intelligence adoption across the media value chain. You will identify hotspots for climate impact, propose sustainable interventions, and test their efficacy in real-world settings, for example, video encoding in cloud services, CDN cache servers, or in applications like BBC iPlayer or Sounds App.

You will build comprehensive sustainability assessment models, undertake extensive data collection, sanitisation, visualisation, and pipeline development, and propose sustainability interventions based on robust evidence. Comprehensive training will be available from both the University of Bristol and BBC R&D. You will spend the majority of your time physically at the BBC Research and Development, having a dedicated desk space and access to the Sustainable Engineering Research team and also regularly spend time at the University of Bristol for concentrated study periods with weekly or more frequent supervision remote calls.

Ideal Candidate: We are looking for committed individuals with a passion for sustainability and the drive to make a difference. If you have a strong analytical background and are eager to engage with cutting-edge research, apply now to help shape the future of media's role in environmental stewardship.

How to apply: Prior to submitting an online application, you will need to contact the project supervisor to discuss. Online applications are made at http://www.bris.ac.uk/pg-howtoapply. Please select Computer Science on the Programme Choice page. You will be prompted to enter details of the studentship in the Funding and Research Details sections of the form.

Deadline: Applications are open until a suitable candidate is found. Please reach out to discuss your suitability.

Candidate requirements: Applicants must hold/achieve a minimum of a merit at master’s degree level (or international equivalent) in a science, mathematics, or engineering discipline. Applicants without a master’s qualification may be considered on an exceptional basis, provided they hold a first-class undergraduate degree. Please note, acceptance will also depend on evidence of readiness to pursue a research degree. You will need proficiency and/or interest in a programming language such as Python or R. Some experience and/or interest in power measurements for hardware or user devices would be ideal. The willingness to work collaboratively with other researchers and external stakeholders is essential.

Depending on your background, you will attend the BBC’s in-house trainings, University of Bristol’s graduate level courses, training in academic writing, introductory training in media, internet, and entertainment sector, as well as advanced training in Lifecycle Assessments and Environmental Impacts. Supervisors will also ensure trainings for any coding and/or software skills as well as public engagement skills if needed and/or desired.

If English is not your first language, you need to meet this profile level: Profile E.

An annual stipend at the national minimum UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) rate, currently £20,780 for academic year 2025/26 (Paid monthly in advance), with an additional £5000 p.a. increasing with inflation. Annual £5,500 for travel, conferences, etc.