PhD (4-Year) Studentship - Difficult to Digitalise Hard Work: Barriers and Opportunities for Digital Adoption in Agri-Food Value Chains

The ESRC Centre for Digital Futures at Work (Digit) aims to advance our understanding of how digital technologies are reshaping work. The project will examine the barriers to and opportunities for the introduction of digital technologies in ‘difficult to digitalise’ work environments, the implications for the quality and nature of work in the agrifood system, and the ways in which digital work in agrifood articulates with local workforce skill levels. The studentship project also involves a placement with a business developing digital ways of working. This studentship is part of the Management Integrated PhD programme at the University of Sussex Business School.

Benefits:

The PhD studentship is offered for a maximum of four years, beginning in September 2026, renewable on a yearly basis, subject to satisfactory performance on the doctoral degree. The successful candidate will receive:

• Full UK fees (This studentship can only cover Home Student fees and is therefore open to UK students (or those with indefinite leave to remain/settled status in the UK) who can demonstrate eligibility for ‘home’ fees.)
• A stipend equivalent to UKRI doctoral stipend, £21,383 (2026/27) per annum for up to four years.

Eligibility:

Open to those meeting UK fee level requirements. Applicants should have:

• Minimum of a 2.1 undergraduate honours degree.
• A Master’s degree ideally in a relevant subject area, with ideally at least a merit mark (60%), or equivalent professional experience.
• Proof of proficiency in English i.e., an IELTS certificate taken within the last two years. (At least 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each of the four sections.)

Application procedure:

• Please submit by email to Professor Adrian Smith at a.m.smith@sussex.ac.uk (via the 'Apply' button above) and as one pdf file an application including:
  • A statement of interest that outlines why you would like to be considered for this studentship project (maximum 1 page)
  • An outline proposal setting out what you would like to research (1-2 pages)
  • A CV (2-3 pages)
  • Degree transcripts and certificates
  • A piece of written work (e.g. an essay or project from your undergraduate or master’s degree
  • Names and contact details for two academic referees

• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview. The successful candidate will then need to apply for the PhD programme at the University of Sussex.
• For questions relating to the application process, contact business-researchstudents@sussex.ac.uk.
• For informal enquiries in relation to ideas for research topics, contact Professor Adrian Smith (a.m.smith@sussex.ac.uk)

Deadline: 9^th January 2026 17:00 (GMT)

For more information please see here.

We welcome applications from suitably qualified people, regardless of ethnicity, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, and working patterns.

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