Fully and Partly Funded PhD studentship opportunities

At the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit we are looking to develop highly skilled researchers and are offering studentships across our research programmes, starting October 2023. 

We are offering three-year studentships to those who have a Masters degree, or equivalent training with a research component, in a relevant scientific discipline. We can also offer, over a four-year period, an opportunity for postgraduate students to gain an appropriate Masters degree prior to starting a doctorate (1+3 studentships). Find out more about being a PhD student at the Unit. We are based within the School of Health and Wellbeing, and work closely with our colleagues across both the College of Social Sciences and the College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences.

Topics available in the Relationships and Health programme are below with further details on each topic available on our website.

What is the relationship between mental health, sexual wellbeing and reproductive health?

Supervisors: Professor Kirstin Mitchell, Dr Andy Baxter and Dr Ruth Lewis

Mental health of young people living in rural areas

Supervisors: Dr Emily Long, Dr Claire Goodfellow and Dr Jo Inchley

People who use drugs and their social networks

Supervisors: Dr Kathryn Skivington and Dr Mark McCann

To view studentship opportunities for our other research programmes, visit our website. Please note that topics are indicative. Student-led applications/topics relevant to the Unit and Programmes (ie on related topics with different supervisors) are also very welcome.

You will receive a tax-free stipend of £17,668 per annum (from 1^st October 2022) and a training/conference allowance of £1,300 per annum, together with training in generic research skills, transferable skills and subject-specific training.

MRC funded studentship eligibility

Full eligibility criteria is subject to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Terms and Conditions. These are available on the UK Research and Innovation website. To be classed as a home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
• Have settled status, or
• Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter

If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an international student. For PhD study the University of Glasgow has English language requirements and a minimum undergraduate entry requirement of a 2.1 Honours degree (or equivalent). International students will be part-funded (stipend and fees will be paid to home rate only) and will be required to self-fund the remaining fees of approximately £23.5k per annum, in addition to relevant visa and health surcharge fees. You may wish to apply for other funding that may be available in your home country to support this. Students requiring advice on eligibility are encouraged to contact susan.wilkie@glasgow.ac.uk prior to commencing the application process.

How to apply

View studentship opportunities for our research programmes by visiting our website.

Prepare a two A4 page research proposal. Please contact the supervisor of your proposed topic to discuss your proposal prior to submission. 

Apply through Postgraduate Admissions to MVLS - MRC/CSO PhD Studentship.

The full set of supporting documents are required to be uploaded at the point of application:

• Final or current degree transcripts including grades (and an official translation, if needed) – scanned copy in colour of the original document.
• Degree certificates (and an official translation, if needed): scanned copy in colour of the original document
• Two references on headed paper and signed by the referee. One must be academic, the other can be academic or professional. References may be uploaded as part of the online application or you may enter your referees contact details on the application form. Admissions will then email your referee and notify you when they receive the reference.  We can also accept confidential references direct to rio-researchadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk, from the referee’s university or business email account.
• Research proposal.
• CV.
• Passport.

Once you have submitted your application, please email susan.wilkie@glasgow.ac.uk to confirm. 

Closing Date: 17 February 2023

Interviews: 25 and 26 April 2023

Follow us on Twitter: @theSPHSU

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