PhD Studentship in Law

Project Overview:  We are currently inviting applications for a funded PhD in Law. The School of Law prides itself on providing an inclusive, vibrant and supportive research environment to our thriving community of doctoral researchers. We have three active research themes in the School:

• Law, Justice and Society;
• Global Law at Reading and
• The Centre for Commercial Law and Financial Regulation.

We invite applications from candidates with research interests relevant to any of these broad fields.

Eligibility: 

Applicants must have an offer of a place to study for a PhD at the School of Law.

Earlier applications are strongly recommended. The admissions offer should ideally be unconditional.

Only high quality candidates with strong research proposals in an area where we have supervisory capacity/support will be considered, and we reserve the right to make no award. Specific selection criteria are as follows:

1. Academic excellence of the prospective student. The panel will look for evidence of the candidate's research ability as indicated by, for instance, qualifications, relevant experience/ publications.
2. Quality of the research proposal (including methodological relevance and innovation, original contribution to knowledge, fit to School, project feasibility, etc.).
3. Strong supervisory arrangements/support in the School.

Funding Details:   

• UKRI-equivalent stipend + home/international fees (in 2022/23 the stipend is £17,668) and competitive application access to funding for training, travel, fieldwork and overseas visits
• Starts October 2023
• 3 year award (or equivalent for part-time students) available
• Available full or part-time

How to apply:  

1. Applicants must have applied for a place of admission via the “Apply for a Programme” link, create your account, and use the link sent by email to start the application process.   During the application process please select the PhD in Law by 12 noon on April 27^th, 2023.
2. Apply for the studentship to Mrs Elizabeth Wyeth (m.e.wyeth@reading.ac.uk) with the subject given as ‘Submission 2023 Law School PhD studentship competition' by 12 noon on May 22^nd, 2023. Applicants must send:
   1. A fully referenced research proposal (max. 1000 words excluding references and project title: any proposal which exceeds the word limit will be shortened to the limit before submission to the panel). The competition timescale allows prospective applicants to work with supervisors to produce a high quality application: It is incumbent upon the applicant (with support from supervisors) to demonstrate the importance of the research within the field and its feasibility. The proposal must articulate clear, analytical research questions. It should indicate clearly how the research will advance the field, and why it is feasible and timely. The originality and significance of the research will be key selection criteria, so these must be emphasised and made apparent for non-specialists.
   2. A two page CV (any CV which exceeds the page limit will be shortened to the limit before submission to the panel) outlining the applicants qualifications, experience and relevant publications/funding etc.

Application Deadlines:  Apply to admissions – 12 noon on April 27^th, 2023.

Studentship submissions – 12 noon on May 22^nd, 2023.

Late submissions will not be accepted.

We aim to release decisions by mid-June 2023.

Further Enquiries:  

For further information please contact Dr Nora Honkala (Deputy Director of Postgraduate Research) - n.a.honkala@reading.ac.uk - in the first instance.

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