Centre for Social and Economic Data Analytics (CSEDA) PhD Studentships

The university seeks to offer up to three competitive PhD scholarships for students starting their PhD research in the 2023-24 academic year.  We are looking to engage prospective candidates in any field of economics, econometrics and finance or other cognate quantitative discipline, with one of the scholarships going to labour economics and related fields.  The scholarship sits within the Centre for Social and Economic Data Analytics (CSEDA), where we provide excellent research supervision and facilities and development opportunities to promote and support PhD research growth.  In addition, the PhD student would be expected to engage in a variety of training activities supported by the School of Social Sciences, and through the University's Research Futures Academy.

The Centre for Social and Economic Data Analytics (CSEDA) brings together empirical and data-driven quantitative research across the full range of economics, finance and business studies.  Much of the Centre’s activity is organised within four focused research groupings: the Energy Markets Group (EMG), the Quantitative Methods Lab (QML), the Centre for Finance & Investment (CFI) and the Marketing Analytics Group (MAG).  Other active research areas in CSEDA include macroeconomics, monetary policy, international finance, banking, corporate governance, behavioural science, development economics and labour markets.

The studentship includes a tuition fee waiver and an annual stipend currently set at £18,622 for the academic year 2023-24. The duration of the studentship is three years. We also offer a research support allowance of £2,250 over the registered period of study. In addition, full-time scholarship holders are normally offered the opportunity to undertake a modest amount of paid teaching support each academic year.

We strongly encourage applicants to approach their prospective supervisor for an informal discussion/feedback on their research proposal prior to submitting an application.  Information on the research interests of our academic staff can be found by visiting https://www.hw.ac.uk/ebs/research/social-economic-data-analytics.htm and clicking on “Our Members”.  For more detailed advice on potential supervisors applicants may contact, please contact Atanas Christev (A.Christev@hw.ac.uk) (for Economics), Andrea Eross (A.Eross@hw.ac.uk) (for Finance) and Cristina Tealdi (C.Tealdi@hw.ac.uk) (for Labour Economics).

There are no restrictions or specific requirements on the design and structure of the research proposal: we accept all fields of economics and finance, with one of the scholarships this year dedicated to recruiting in labour economics.  The research proposal may not exceed 2 pages or max 600 words, excluding tables, graphs and references.  

Successful candidates must be of outstanding academic merit and research potential.  Candidates must have a UK first class or 2:1 honours degree at undergraduate or similar international level and an MSc Economics / Finance. In addition, candidates for whom English is a second language should meet the University’s minimum English-language requirements.  If you have not already studied a degree programme that was taught and examined in the medium of English, the minimum overall IELTS score is 6.5 with no score lower than 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. 

How to apply

Please select either PhD Economics or PhD Accountancy & Finance and submit your online application via https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/apply/uk/postgraduate.htm.

Please ensure that you include the name of the potential supervisor(s) on your application to allow processing.

In order that your application can be processed, please ensure that all the supporting documents listed below are submitted with your application:

• Research Proposal - An outline research proposal (max. 600 words or two pages).  This should clearly identify the proposed research question, specify the research area and topic, and name a potential supervisor(s).
• Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificates- Copies of full academic transcripts from all previous academic degree courses and copies of degree certificates for degrees already awarded. If you are currently pursuing a degree course, please provide all available marks to date. If your degree is from a non-UK institution, please provide evidence of the UK equivalency of your qualification.
• Curriculum Vitae - A full CV should be submitted.
• Covering Letter - A brief covering letter outlining why you want to study for a PhD at Heriot-Watt University, and what makes you an excellent candidate.

Interviews will take place by the end of September, and will be conducted via video conferencing (e.g. Zoom or similar). Interview support for those with disabilities will be available where required (e.g. a BSL interpreter).

If you have any general queries about the applications process, please contact soss.pgr@hw.ac.uk.

At Heriot-Watt University we understand that being diverse makes us better which is why we support a culture of respect and equal opportunity, and value diversity at the heart of what we do. We want to increase the diversity of our workplace to underpin a dynamic and creative environment and welcome applications from underrepresented groups. Heriot-Watt is committed to giving access and opportunities to student carers and received the Going Higher for Student Carers Recognition Award from Carers Trust Scotland in 2020.

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