ESRC Quota Award Studentships - University of Surrey

The Department of Sociology at the University of Surrey was ranked joint 6th out of all UK Sociology departments in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise: this ranking recognises the excellence of its research and its research environment, a vital component of which is its thriving doctoral programme. It is now inviting applications from prospective PhD students for four ESRC Quota Studentships to commence in October 2010. Applicants for these awards are expected to have an Upper Second or First Class undergraduate degree in a social science or related subject, or to be able to demonstrate other relevant experience. Studentships are available as either '1+3' or '+3' awards: ‘1+3’ awards are for students to undertake the MSc in Social Research Methods or the MSc Criminology, Criminal Justice and Social Research or the part-time MSc in Social Research followed by a 3 year PhD. ‘+3 awards’ are for candidates who already have an ESRC recognised Masters degree. Proposals are encouraged in any of the areas in which the Department has expertise which include: • ageing, gender and the lifecourse • computer simulation of social processes • culture and identity • deviance and criminology • media and communications • methodology (including development of quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods) • privacy and surveillance • race and ethnicity • science and technology studies • social aspects of health and illness • sociology of childhood • sociology of sleep • sociology of the environment • youth and popular culture More details of research in the Sociology Department. ESRC full studentships are open to UK residents, EU nationals who have lived in the UK for at least 3 years immediately prior to the award, or non-EU nationals who have been resident in the UK for at least 3 years immediately prior to the award for purposes other than education. Maintenance grants for all studentships are worth £13,290 per annum (the rate in 2009-10) and do not attract income tax or national insurance. PhD students also have the opportunity, and are encouraged, to undertake some paid undergraduate teaching in the department. Applicants whose proposals have a strong quantitative focus and wish to gain additional training in advanced quantitative methods, which could include social simulation, will be eligible to apply for an additional ESRC annual stipend of £3,000. For further information please contact Sue Slade, Postgraduate Research Administrator, tel. [phone] or Dr Geoff Cooper, Postgraduate Research Director, tel. [phone]. Candidates should complete the Department’s ‘Application for an ESRC Quota PhD Studentship’ form, which can be downloaded below, together with a CV and the names of two referees. (Please note that it is not necessary, at this stage, to complete the University’s ‘Application For A Research Degree’ form.) Download application form. Applications should be returned by email to Sue Slade by 24 February 2010. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview on 15th March. Unsuccessful applicants may be considered for entry by the Department into the ESRC Open Competition.