Three Year PhD Studentship – Addiction Industries: Web of Influence

Please note: The closing date for the receipt of complete applications is 12.00 noon (GMT), Thursday 2nd August 2012

Background

This is a rare opportunity to undertake a PhD as part of a research team focusing on the role of corporate actors in policy making at the EU level (and at the national level in four key case studies). The Studentship comes with a part time research post.

The successful applicant will have a good honours degree and preferably a Masters degree in a related area. Experience in any of the following would be advantageous, but not essential: data mapping, social network analysis, organisational research, systematic review, policy and content analysis and conducting interviews.

The post-holder will manage their own activities and prioritise their own workload within agreed objectives to ensure that all activities are completed to deadlines. The Post-holder will, for example, collect and collate data and provide analysis.

The student will conduct their research under the supervision of Professor David Miller and Professor Anna Gilmore.

The Project

The successful applicant will assist with a research team working on a new research programme within a large-scale project funded by the European Commission, ALICE RAP. ALICE RAP aims to critically examine and analyse currently fragmented research and strengthen scientific evidence to inform a new dynamic platform for public and political dialogue and debate on current and alternative approaches to addictions.

The specific project titled the ‘Web of Influence’ focuses on the poorly understood role of economic actors in public policy formation. The project will examine the ‘web of influence’ of four ‘addictive industries’ (Food, Tobacco, Alcohol and Gambling).The Successful Candidate should:
1. Fulfil the entrance requirements for a Department for Social and Policy Sciences MPhil/PhD (http://www.bath.ac.uk/study/pg/programmes/mphi-soci-poli-scie ).
2. Have at least a strong understanding of Social Network Analysis, Power Structure Research and associated research methods (including investigative research).
3. Meet the criteria required, as mentioned in the above 'Background' and 'Project' descriptions.

How to Apply

Applicants should apply online at http://www.bath.ac.uk/hss/graduate-school/how-to-apply/research-programmes/ to study for the MPhil/PhD in Addiction Industries: Web of Influence.

You must also apply specifically for this funding (http://www.bath.ac.uk/hss/graduate-school/how-to-apply/apply-for-research-postgraduate-funding/), including the need to complete the Funding Proforma in which you must outline your motivation for wanting to undertake research and a brief outline of your initial thoughts on the area of research (maximum 500 words).

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Professor David Miller ([Email Address Removed])