ESRC Doctoral Training Centre +3 and 1+3 Studentships in Health and Wellbeing Ref: 1094

About the award

We are inviting applications for ESRC 1+3 or +3 studentships as part of the Health and Wellbeing interdisciplinary pathway of the South West Doctoral Training Centre (SWDTC) for entry in 2013/14. Up to two studentships will be awarded in this pathway across the SWDTC on a competitive basis.

At the University of Exeter, the College of Life & Environmental Sciences (Sport & Health Sciences) provides the hub for postgraduate studentship applications for the ESRC South West Doctoral Training Centre interdisciplinary Health and Wellbeing pathway.

As an interdisciplinary pathway a wide range of possible options exist for students to receive a postgraduate studentship for either an MRes (1 + 3 years) or PhD (3 years).  All applications should have a focus on physical activity and social, psychological, economic or environmental issues. Sole interest in the physiological or biomechanical aspects of sport and exercise is not appropriate for this ESRC funding. 

Applications are welcomed involving projects that would include two supervisors from different disciplinary perspectives and cross institutional supervision (from the Universities of Exeter, Bath or Bristol) is particularly encouraged. Initial contact with a possible topic should be made with Prof Adrian Taylor, who can help identify potential supervisors.

Topics that would be particularly welcomed would involve supervision from one or more of the following people working at the University of Exeter (see individual profiles on their respective websites), but other options are possible. At least one supervisor should be based in Sport & Health Sciences.

Sport & Health Sciences:  Melvyn Hillsdon, Adrian Taylor, Tim Rees, Craig Williams & colleagues.

European Centre for Environment & Human Health, Truro, Cornwall : Ben Wheeler, Clive Sabel, Matt White, Cassie Phoenix & colleagues.

Psychology (Mood Disorders Centre) : Paul Farrand, Kim Wright, Natalia Lawrence & colleagues

Exeter Medical School: Charles Abraham, Colin Greaves, John Campbell.

The Business School (Centre for Sport, Leisure and Tourism Research) : Tim Coles & Colleagues.

Academic entry requirements:

For the 1+3 programme candidates must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in a social science discipline. Candidates for the +3 programme must, in addition, have (or expect to complete by September 2013) a Masters degree in a social science discipline with appropriate research training.

For the 1+3 studentship you would register for the MRes Health and Wellbeing (St Luke’s Campus, Exeter) in year 1, followed by the MPhil/PhD Health and Wellbeing. For the +3 studentship you would register for the MPhil/PhD Health and Wellbeing.

Value of award and residency entry requirements:

The studentship will cover a stipend at the standard Research Council rate (currently £13,590 per annum for 2012-2013), a contribution towards research costs and tuition fees at the UK/EU rate for students who meet the residency requirements outlined by the ESRC (see http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/funding-opportunities/looking-for-funding/eligibility.aspx) for up to three years for +3 candidates, and up to four years for 1+3 candidates. Students from EU countries who do not meet the residency requirements may still be eligible for a fees-only award.

Summary

How to apply

Please upload the following documents to the studentship application form - Click here to apply

• CV
• Covering letter (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).
• 1000-word proposal, outlining your research questions, sources and approach, and an explicit account of why your research proposal is interdisciplinary. You should also include the name(s) of the potential supervisor.
• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)
• 2 references (if your referees prefer, they can email the reference direct to cles-studentships@exeter.ac.uk)

If you have any general enquiries about the application process please email cles-studentships@exeter.ac.uk or phone +44 (0)1392 725150/723706/723310.

Informal enquiries can be made to cles-studentships@exeter.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is midnight Thursday 14 February 2013.