Labour Market Policies and Post-Unemployment Outcomes

The project is a collaboration between the Department of Economics at the University of Sheffield, and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The DWP is a governmental body responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy. It is the largest public service department in the UK and an international front-runner on policy research and is increasingly showing dedication to set up strong collaborations with universities.

In the last years, DWP has implemented many policy reforms and has run several large-scale pilot studies (Randomized Controlled Trials). Together with the recent increase in administrative data available for analysts, this creates a window of opportunity to conduct innovative research, based on economic theory and modern quantitative techniques, that endeavours to give comprehensive insights into the short- and long-run effects of Active Labour Market Policies.

The successful applicant will be based at the University of Sheffield and will be seconded to the DWP, which has one of its main national offices in walking distance from campus.

Applicants should have
• A Masters degree in economics or be currently studying for a Masters degree in economics from a UK university or have a comparable international qualification from a recognised institute of higher education.
• An interest and some research experience in the field of labour economics and/or applied econometrics would be desirable but not essential.

The applicant should also demonstrate the capability to develop further programming skills as the latter might be necessary throughout the project.


The Department of Economics at the University of Sheffield has an international reputation for practical and real world economics. We are a leading research University and economics department and our academic staff are among the top economic experts in their field.

Students that study a PhD with us receive excellent academic support, in a friendly, vibrant research environment with excellent facilities. All PhD students are given a desk and a computer in the department and offered opportunities for further training.

How to apply

1. Candidates should complete an application for admission as a PhD student at
www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply

2. Applications should include a CV including academic record (max. 2 pages); supporting
statement (max. 2 pages); academic transcripts and two references

3. In your supporting statement you should refer to this project and outline your suitability for it


Deadline for scholarship applications: Thursday 29th June 2017 at 12:00 noon. Online interviews are expected to take place in July 2017.

The successful applicant will have their full PhD fees paid at the appropriate rate for 3 years.

They will also receive an annual tax-free maintenance stipend at the standard UK Research Council rate (£14,296 in 2017/18) over this period.