Channel 4 has launched a new Scholarship Programme which will see two successful applicants placed within the channel’;s Audience, Technologies and Insight department for a minimum of three years with the chance to earn a PhD.

Whilst working for Channel 4 graduates will attend UCL (University College London) on a part time basis working towards a PhD in Statistics which will involve a blend of project-based research groups, multidisciplinary collaborations and individual research programmes. They will also receive coaching from a member of Channel 4′;s HR team.

The Scholarship Programme will commence in September 2012. It complements Channel 4”s recently announced Graduate Programme, reinforcing the channel’;s commitment to keeping the UK Media Industry at the forefront of the global industry by nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.

Explaining the commercial rationale, Gill Whitehead, Channel 4 Director of Audience Technologies and Insight said: “We see great potential in using big data platforms with real time and predictive analytics to support Channel 4′;s revenues and decision making. Applying analytics in our industry has never really been done before and as a result the necessary skills and experience are in high demand. We want to nurture and develop the next generation of talent as data becomes an increasingly valuable component of the broadcast landscape.”