REAL Supply Research Unit PhD Studentships in Health Economics

Funding amount: The awards will cover academic fees for the 2026/27 entry, at UK or international rates as appropriate, plus a maintenance stipend for 3 years at UKRI rates (£20,780 for 25/26).

Hours: Full Time

APPLY

Closing date: 30 January 2026 at 4pm (UTC).

We are looking for exceptional students to apply for two fully funded PhD studentships within the REAL Supply Research Unit, a major research programme based at the Centre for Health Economics (CHE). 

The REAL Supply Research Unit, part of the Health Foundation’s REAL Centre, conducts independent economic research and analysis to support better long term decision making in health and social care. Over the next five years, the Unit will deliver an ambitious portfolio of research shaping the future supply of health and care. Its work will equip health and care leaders and policymakers with robust economic insights to support strategic decision-making and help build a more sustainable, equitable and resilient system.

This is an opportunity for two outstanding students with strong quantitative and analytical skills to work within the largest collective of academic health and social care economists in the country, with a shared mission to deliver research that directly informs policy and supports better decision-making for the NHS and social care systems.

The REAL Supply Unit will fund two studentships from any of the following eight topic areas:

• Topic 1: The consequences of non-marginal changes in recruitment into healthcare training
• Topic 2: The role of pay and contracted conditions in sustaining the health and adult social care workforce for the long term
• Topic 3: International migration of health and social care workforce
• Topic 4: The role of skill-mix in the health and social care production function
• Topic 5: Diffusion of technology and ways of working
• Topic 6: Automation of health and social care
• Topic 7: Public sector market power in primary dental care and adult social care and implications for long-term supply
• Topic 8: Incentives for long-term investment

Supervision and Research Environment

The successful candidates will be supervised in CHE by either Professor Nils Gutacker or Professor Susan Griffin depending on the chosen topic, and will be registered through the Department of Economics and Related Studies at the University of York for a PhD in Health Economics.

As one of the world’s largest health economics research centres, CHE offers an exceptional research environment with a longstanding international reputation for producing high-quality research that informs health and social care policy in the UK and beyond. The Centre attracts some of the best and brightest people in the field in the form of PhD students and visitors from overseas, creating a vibrant research environment. The University of York is widely recognised as one of the leading research universities in the UK and is also at the top of the teaching quality rankings.

CHE holds an Athena SWAN Silver award reflecting our commitment to equality, inclusion and supporting the career development of all staff and students. We strive to provide a supportive culture and family friendly work environment and to offer equal opportunities to all staff members. We seek to ensure the policies and procedures in the department are fair and support good work practices for everyone. 

The Awards 

Two full studentships are available:

• To cover academic fees for the 2026/27 entry, at UK or international rates as appropriate, plus a maintenance stipend for 3.5 years at UKRI rates  
• To cover academic fees for the 2026/27 entry, at UK rates, plus a maintenance stipend for 3.5 years at UKRI rates

These awards are not able to support part-time study arrangements.

Eligibility criteria

To register in the PhD in Health Economics at the Department of Economics and Related Studies, the ideal candidate is usually required to hold a Bachelor's degree in Economics with a 2:1 or higher and a Masters degree (or be about to complete) in Health Economics, Economics, or closely related discipline with a high average mark (60% or above, including at least 60% in the dissertation component).

The English language requirement is IELTS: 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in each component. 

Interview

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview in person or via zoom.  The interview date is to be confirmed.

At interview, candidates will be expected to give a short presentation on their proposed project including relevant literature, potential data sources and applicable methods. It should also focus on their plans for the studentship and the skills they would bring to their doctoral research.

For further information, please visit the information page or contact Professor Nils Gutacker or Professor Susan Griffin.

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