Data intensive science - a Research and Training Initiative

The UK Research Councils are funding a new wave of doctoral training partnerships to build the next generation of data-intensive scientists. This initiative addresses a critical skills gap: as scientific instruments and simulations generate ever-larger datasets, the UK needs researchers who can manage, analyse, and extract meaning from that data. Traditional PhD training often does not equip students with the computational and statistical skills required for modern data-driven science. The programme funds postgraduate training at universities or consortia of research organisations, creating structured pathways for students to develop these specialist skills. If successful, this will produce a cohort of scientists fluent in both their core discipline and the data science techniques needed to advance it. These researchers will be able to tackle problems across fields—from particle physics and astronomy to climate modelling and genomics—where handling massive datasets is now routine. The impact is primarily on the research workforce itself: ensuring the UK has the human capital to remain competitive in data-intensive fundamental science. While the training may eventually feed into industry applications in areas like healthcare analytics or energy grid management, the immediate goal is to strengthen the country’s scientific capability rather than to deliver a specific commercial product.