The University College London, in collaboration with The Science Museum Group, offers a fully funded AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) studentship titled ‘Urgent rescue curation of space heritage in a time of world crisis’. This unique PhD opportunity, starting 1st October 2026, is designed for candidates interested in the intersection of history, heritage, and space technology. The project addresses the urgent need for museums to develop frameworks for accessioning and interpreting space objects from projects at risk of cancellation, especially in light of recent political developments affecting international space programmes.

The Science Museum has a longstanding tradition of collecting space technology for research and public display, often responding reactively to offers from industry, academia, and government. Occasionally, the Museum undertakes 'rescue curation' when objects or archives face imminent destruction. The current climate, particularly in the US, has heightened risks to numerous space programmes, necessitating new research into how threatened space heritage can be preserved and future risks mitigated. The doctoral research will contribute to developing criteria for rescue collecting and build expertise valuable to both the heritage and space sectors.

The studentship is open to both Home and International applicants. It is fully funded for 48 months (4 years) full-time or up to 8 years part-time (international students must study full-time). Tuition fees are covered up to the home fee level (£5,238 for 2026/2027), with the host institution covering the difference for international students. All students receive a tax-free annual stipend (£21,805 plus £2,000 London weighting and £600 CDP maintenance payment), and an additional travel grant of up to £1,000 per year for four years is available courtesy of the Science Museum.

Applicants should ideally hold or expect a Masters-level qualification in History of Science/Technology, Science and Technology Studies, History, Conservation Science, Museum Studies, Archaeology, Anthropology, Art History, or equivalent professional experience. Demonstrated interest in the history of science/technology or heritage sectors and enthusiasm for skill development in related areas is essential. The studentship encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, particularly from Global Majority candidates who are underrepresented in this field.

As a collaborative award, the successful candidate will spend time at both UCL and the Science Museum. All applicants must meet UKRI terms and conditions for funding. For further information, contact Professor Jon Agar ([email protected]) or the admissions team ([email protected]). To apply, submit a CV and a 2-page statement detailing your interest and fit for the studentship by 17:00 on 24 April 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in May/June 2026, and the successful candidate will then apply via the UCL online portal. Applicants are also invited to complete a voluntary EDI monitoring form.

The CDP consortium will host an online webinar for prospective applicants on 13 April 2026 at 11:00, and a project-specific webinar on 14 April 2026 at 4pm. For details, contact [email protected]. This studentship is part of a nationwide programme supporting collaborative doctoral research in heritage and museum studies.