• Ph.D. in Economics
• Ph.D. in Labour Studies
• Ph.D. in Political Studies
• Ph.D. in Sociology

For the academic year 2007/2008 there are two selection phases.

The first selection has been closed at the end of April and five scholarships have been assigned (3 by the Ph.D. in Economics and 2 by the Ph.D. in Sociology).

In this second selection, there will be 12 scholarships, assigned as following:

• Ph.D. in Economics – 4 scholarships
• Ph.D. in Labour Studies – 3 scholarships
• Ph.D. in Political Studies – 3 scholarship
• Ph.D. in Sociology – 2 scholarships.

Up to eight of these twelve scholarships can be designated to non EU applicants. This selection will offer also 16 positions without scholarship. Candidates that already applied in the first stage may re-apply for this second selection. The admission committee will be the same of the first selection for every Ph.D. programme.

For more information click here.

Applications are invited for an ESRC CASE (+3) Studentship in Geography at the School of Environment and Development, University of Manchester, jointly supervised by Dr Neil Coe and Professor Kevin Ward along with the respective CASE partner.

This project offers exciting opportunities to explore the changing nature of labour markets and patterns of migrations in the European Union at a time of unparalleled dynamism and expansion. As such, they should appeal to researchers in a broad range of social science disciplines. They also offer the opportunity to be part of the vibrant Geographical Political Economy Research Group (GPERG) at Manchester. 

The institutional context for temporary staffing: a European cross- national comparative study.

Collaborating partner: Peter Siderman, The Adecco Institute

This three year doctoral project will explore the role of temporary staffing agencies within the wider landscape of public and private sector labour intermediaries, and how and why this differs from country to country. Three national political-economic systems will provide illustrative case studies: The UK – a neoliberal policy environment in which labour markets are characterised by short-term employment relationships, low levels of unionisation and individualised and competitive employment relations; Germany – a corporatist policy regulatory context characterised by significant human capital investment, medium-term employment relationships and strong union representation in a tripartite system; The Czech Republic – a post-socialist labour regime that has undergone profound and rapid change since 1990, and in which a central command economy has moved somewhat unevenly towards a flexible, market-based labour regime.

In particular, research will investigate how the role of placing people into employment is undertaken by different combinations of private and public sector agencies and intermediaries in the different regimes.
This cross-national comparative study will combine both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and use both primary and secondary data. The project will offer considerable potential for international fieldwork and research, and applicants with experience of that kind are advised to make this clear in their application.

Contact information:
Dr. Neil Coe (0161 275 3646)
neil.coe@manchester.ac.uk
 
Professor Kevin Ward (0161 275 7877)
k.g.ward@manchester.ac.uk
 
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to talk further about any aspects of the studentships. ESRC meets the tuition fees and pays a basic (tax free) maintenance grant of £14,300 p.a. The collaborating organisation pays an additional £2,000 p.a.

For further information on the Geographical Political Economy Research Group:
http://www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/geography/research/gpe/

For further information on the School of Environment and Development: www.sed.manchester.ac.uk

How to apply

We invite applications from potential UK/EU research students who have a
2.1 or above Bachelors degree and a good Masters qualification and meet the eligibility criteria for ESRC doctoral funding. Suitably qualified candidates from a wide range of social science disciplines – including geography, sociology, politics, anthropology, management and economics – are encouraged to apply.

All applications should be submitted through the PHD HUMAN GEOG option within the University's online Postgraduate Research application system:

http://www.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/howtoapply/

For further information on the School of Environment and Development:
www.sed.manchester.ac.uk

The deadline for the online application, with CV and covering letter, is Friday August 21st and short-listed candidates will be interviewed during the week beginning September 3rd. The successful candidates will be expected to take up the studentships in October 2007.

IAll nominees must satisfy ESRC's academic and residential eligibility requirements which can be downloaded from

http://www.esrc.ac.uk/esrccontent/postgradfunding/foindex.asp

Admissions enquiries may be directed to:

Miss Samantha Blachford
Postgraduate Research Admissions
School of Environment and Development
Harold Hankins Building
University of Manchester
Manchester
M13 9QH
Tel: +44 161 275 0336
samantha.blachford@manchester.ac.uk