Scholarship PhD: Exploring the Economic, Social and Environmental Implications of Worktime Reduction

Want to become a leading expert on the 4 day week? The UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice aims to provide one student with outstanding potential and a strong desire to undertake a full-time PhD programme with the opportunity to be part of pioneering research on reduced worktime and weekly schedules, under an excellent supervisor.  The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team of global experts researching the economic, social and environmental implications of a shorter working week, using data from the 4 Day Week Global Trials and other sources.  The successful candidate will be part of an active and expanding research project. They will gain experience in a range of research activities including; research design, project management, data collection and analysis, under Dr Orla Kelly's supervision.

The candidate will have the opportunity to explore the impact of reduced work time on various employee outcomes, including financial security, health and wellbeing outcomes, the gendered distribution of household labour, pro-environmental behaviour, and energy use.  The project involves both quantitative and qualitative research. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to further their skills during the doctoral degree but is expected to already have a strong foundation in quantitative methods.

This scholarship provides full tuition fees and stipends throughout the UCD three-year structured PhD programme.  The successful candidate will be expected to also apply for other sources of further funding under the guidance of the project supervisor. On completion of the PhD, the successful candidate will earn a PhD in Social Policy from University College Dublin, under the supervision of Dr. Orla Kelly. We invite applications for the PhD programme, starting September 2023 or January 2024, depending on the candidate’s preference.

Am I eligible?

Candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Applications are accepted from candidates from Ireland, the EU and worldwide but will need to be based in Ireland for the degree.
• Candidates should have achieved at least 2.1 honours or international equivalent in a Masters' degree in Social Sciences
• UCD is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Learn more: www.ucd.ie/equality

How to apply

The PhD has a commencement date in September 2023 or January 2024. The application must be submitted via email to orla.kelly1@ucd.ie no later than April 30^th 2023, 23:59 Irish Time.

• Proof of English proficiency (6.5 IELTS minimum).
• Diploma and Transcripts of academic records (undergraduate and postgraduate).
• Research Statement (Max 2500 words). This should address;
  • your motivations for studying work time reduction;
  • details on what aspect of worktime reduction / the 4 Day Week you are interested in exploring and why;
  • how your existing training and experience could add to the research team.
• A list of two academic references.

Documents should be send as a single pdf file.

Funding Notes

Successful candidates will receive the following financial support for three years:

• Full funding for tuition fees.
• A stipend of €18,000 per annum to assist with living expenses.
• A programme of training opportunities and events delivered by the UCD College of Social Sciences and Law.

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