PhD studentship linked to the ESRC funded Connecting Generations research programme, part of the Centre for Population Change

PhD studentship: Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling

Applications are invited for a three year PhD studentship in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Stirling, linked to the ESRC funded Connecting Generations research programme, part of the Centre for Population Change (https://www.cpc.ac.uk/research_programme/connecting_generations/#Current).

The studentship will cover fees for a home student and a stipend for the successful candidate, equivalent to the current ESRC standard stipend.

The attached document provides details of the work of the Centre and the programme of research to be completed at Stirling.

Candidates for the studentship are invited to provide a current CV, a letter of application and a 2000 word proposal for the PhD research as follows:

·        you should cover aspect(s) of diversity and inequality, and health in relation to intergenerational perspectives.

·        consider cross-country comparisons using UK and international data, e.g. HAGIS www.hagis.scot, SHARE The Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE): Home (share-project.org), etc. (These refer purely to use of data and do not suggest that the studentship will have any relationship with these projects.) The development of bespoke smaller surveys to address specific research questions could be considered.

·        it must use quantitative or mixed research methods;

·        it must aim to produce results which can be translated into real world impact.

Your proposal should briefly outline gaps in the existing research record, the research questions to be investigated, research methods to be used and the potential real-world impact of the project.

Note: if you are a specialist qualitative research look out for the other studentship currently advertised.

For guidance on writing a PhD proposal, see https://www.stir.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/how-to-apply-for-our-research-degrees/guidance-on-how-to-write-a-research-proposal/

In your letter of application, you must be able to demonstrate:

·        A good honours degree in a relevant social science, at either first class or upper second class;

·        Successful completion of quantitative research methods training, preferably at Masters level or through equivalent experience;

·        Experience of conducting original empirical research, for example through a Master’s dissertation;

·        Ability to interact successfully with a diverse population of potential research participants;

·        Excellent communication skills;

·        Excellent writing skills;

·        Commitment to research which is inclusive and has real-world impact.

Please send your application to [Email Address Removed] Thursday 3rd November. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in mid-November. The PhD will start on 1^st December 2022, or the 1^st day of a subsequent month. The Principal Supervisor will be Associate Professor Elaine Douglas. If you have questions about the role, please contact her by e-mail at [Email Address Removed].