ULMS PhD Funding Call: September 2021 entry

The University of Liverpool Management School

The University of Liverpool Management School is a world leading centre for management and leadership training, education and research. The School is one of an elite group of institutions worldwide to be AACSB Accredited. The achievement of AACSB accreditation means that not only has the School met specific standards of excellence, but has also made a commitment to on-going improvement to ensure that the institution will continue to deliver high quality education to its students.

Part of the research intensive Russell Group of Universities, the Management School’s 175 international experts shape world-class academic thought and make a direct impact on a wide range of organisations and institutions. These experts publish in top-tier journals across many research areas and take a number of editorships in prestigious academic journals. Our investment in an excellent research environment and a flourishing cohort of PhD researchers coupled with our refreshingly interdisciplinary focus put the Management School at the forefront of academic research, making a difference to our many local, national and international partners. 

Graduate Teaching Fellowships (GTFs)

The Graduate Teaching Fellowships provide an opportunity for applicants with a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree, a Masters degree (preferably a Distinction grade) in a cognate subject and a strong commitment to research, to combine studying for a PhD with the acquisition of teaching experience. Each studentship is associated to a particular subject group within the School, of which there are currently 6: Work, Organization and Management, Strategy International Business and Entrepreneurship, Accounting and Finance, Economics, Operations and Supply Chain Management and Marketing

Participating in the Scheme will enable GTFs to attain funding for their doctoral research whilst receiving training and mentoring to become rounded academics. In addition to conducting their research, they will have the opportunity to contribute to ULMS’s dynamic research culture and to the delivery of an outstanding learning experience for students in the School. In year one of the programme, fellows are required to demonstrate progress in developing their research skills, typically by completing relevant courses on select Masters programmes. Year one also requires completion of teacher training programmes offered by the University of Liverpool and limited teaching engagement, primarily through shadowing and mentored classroom involvement. Successful candidates will be required to complete 300 hours of teaching during their programme, alongside the doctoral research project. GTFs will receive an annual stipend of £15,609 plus a fee waiver and will have access to student support funds in line with the wider doctoral training provision at ULMS. These fellowships will be open to all nationalities and subject areas. Home students receive a full School studentship (fees and maintenance grant). Overseas students will receive fees at Home rate (a possible top up payment may be available for International candidates, subject to availability); the maintenance grant for Overseas and Home/EU students is the same amount.

Research themes within each Subject Group

Please find specific information regarding projects in each of the Management School’s six Subject Groups by following the links below:

1. Operations and Supply Chain Management
2. Marketing Subject Group
3. Work, Organisation and Management Subject Group
4. Strategy, International Business and Entrepreneurship (SIBE) Subject Group
5. Economics Subject Group
6. Accounting and Finance Subject Group

How to Apply

Applicants must complete all sections of the University Postgraduate Study Application Form. Applications to be made via the University of Liverpool Apply Online, system, selecting programme of study either Management Studies, Economics or Accounting & Finance https://app.askadmissions.co.uk/AYApplicantLogin/fl_ApplicantLogin.asp?id=liv

In the Finance section select funding source Sponsor and insert ‘PHD-GTF-ULMS-2021 studentship’ in the box below. Also include this as the first line of your Personal Statement. 

Alongside the completed application form and Personal Statement, applicants should submit the following supporting documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Two academic reference letters, signed and on letter headed paper
• University transcripts
• English Language qualifications

All International applicants must have reached a minimum required standard of English language (IELTS 6.5 average overall and a minimum of 6.0 in each component), and, where relevant, are required to provide evidence of this. Qualifications accepted by the University include GCSE English; GCE O level English; AS Level English; A Level English Language; IELTS; Cambridge Proficiency etc. Please refer to the full list here.

If you are unsure if your English qualification meets requirements for this Studentship as above then please check with the Research team before applying.

• Degree certificates
• Personal statement
• Research proposal**.

Please give details of your PhD proposal around 2000 words. References/bibliography should be included within this word limit. The assessment panel will closely assess submitted proposal against these key criteria:

1. Does the study clearly articulate its aim and contribution?

2. Is the proposed methodology consistent with the research aim?

3. Does the study clearly foreshadow its practical ramifications for the key research areas identified above?

4. Is the proposed timeline both feasible and realistic?

The proposal should explain why you would like to undertake this research and your thoughts on the distinct challenges and opportunities it might bring.

It is expected that candidates contact potential ULMS supervisors before the deadline to explore whether collaboration can be initiated.

Please note that unsuccessful candidates who applied for GTF funding in the January 2021 call will not be considered in this second round of applications.

Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered. Please ensure you submit all of the above documents with your application.

Application Process

Closing Date for Applications: 12:00pm, midday, UK time, Wednesday 5th May 2021

Shortlisting: Tuesday 18th May 2021

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview: Thursday 27th May 2021

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed: Tuesday 2nd June 2021 onwards

Further Information

If you would like to discuss the studentships further, please contact Prof. Dilani Jayawarna (dilanij@liverpool.ac.uk).

Informal enquiries can also be directed to the ULMS Research Support Team (ulmsphdenq@liverpool.ac.uk)