Equalise: +3.5 Year PhD Studentship in Social Epidemiology

Ref Number B02- Professional Expertise Research and Research Support Department School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02) Location London Working Pattern Full time Salary See advert text Contract Type Fixed-term Working Type Hybrid Available for Secondment No Closing Date 12-Dec-

About us & how to apply

Equalise: ESRC Centre for Lifecourse Health Equity Equalise is a new research centre funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) which is focused on reducing health inequalities from a lifecourse perspective. Equalise research will draw on longitudinal survey, administrative, synthetic and qualitative data to test solutions related to learning, work and care as well as place-based inequalities. The Centre is led by The Research Department of Epidemiology & Public Health at UCL and its partners include The NIHR Centre for Children, Families and Policy Research at UCL, The Population Health Research Group at City St. George’s University of London, the Centre for Health Policy at the University of Strathclyde, The MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit at the University of Glasgow, The Bradford NIHR Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC), the Centre for Coastal Communities at the University of Essex, and the Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health Research, Inserm at the University of Toulouse as well as 19 further government and third sector organisation

The Research Department of Epidemiology & Public Health
This post will be based within the Research Department of Epidemiology & Public Health which is a world-leading and multi-disciplinary research department that conducts timely, rigorous and independent research with sound statistical methods into a better understanding of health and the prevention of ill health.Our research focuses on a wide range of public health concerns such as heart disease; dental public health; mental health and well-being; and child development and ageing. Our research has significant real-world impact, informing policy and practice both in the United Kingdom and around the world. One of our major contributions is to the wider understanding of inequalities in health by government, practitioners and the general public. For further information, visit .

The department has a vibrant graduate student environment, with currently over 50 PhD students and three taught MSc programmes (in Social Epidemiology, Dental Public Health, and Population Health) as well as an online MPH.

How to Apply
Important: please do not apply via the ‘Apply Now’ button
To apply for the programme, please send a completed application form and CV to .Your referees will also need to submit your references by the application deadline.

Applicants will be asked to submit an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form following their application. This information will be held confidentially and will not be used in the recruitment process.

About the studentships

Studentship 1: Care sector job quality and health
This studentship is to investigate the role of job quality in the formal care sector in relation to health, wellbeing and job satisfaction outcomes using mixed-methods. This PhD will use quantitative Census data in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to investigate the health of care workers, as well as the UK Household Longitudinal Survey to investigate the role of job quality in the health of those working in the care sector. Qualitative interviews with care sector workers will explore the challenges and rewards of care work, motivations for working in the sector, supports required and experiences related to intersectional inequality.

Supervisors: Dr Baowen Xue (UCL), Prof Anne McMunn (UCL), and Dr Corinna Elsenbroich (University of Glasgow) with input from Women’s Budget Group.

Studentship 2: 'Stay & Play' groups and parent outcomes This studentship is to investigate the role of parent-child informal early years provision (‘stay & play’ groups) on parental wellbeing and parenting outcomes using mixed-methods. Quantitative analysis will examine intersectional and place-based inequalities in access to, and attitudes towards, different types of informal early years provision. Qualitative interviews will explore the role of ‘stay & play’ provision in reducing isolation and loneliness amongst parents, fostering understanding of child development and building confidence in parenting skills as well as how the fit between provider and parent characteristics can foster or inhibit attendance.

Supervisors: Prof Anne McMunn (UCL), Dr Becca Lacey (City St George’s UoL), Prof Yvonne Kelly (UCL) and Prof Kat Smith (University of Strathclyde) with input from the Early Education and Childcare Coalition.

Studentship 3: Vocational training and social mobility
This studentship is to investigate barriers to accessing vocational training and the role of increased access in social mobility and wellbeing outcomes using mixed-methods. Quantitative analysis will explore intersectional inequality in access and the role of economic and cultural capital in enabling access to vocational learning while qualitative work on educational journeys and social mobility will be led by learner voices.

Supervisors: Dr Becca Lacey (City St George’s UoL), Prof Yvonne Kelly (UCL), Prof Kat Smith (University of Strathclyde) and Dr Baowen Xue (UCL) with input from the Skills & Education Group.

About you

Applicants should hold a Master’s degree of a suitable standard (preferably passing with a merit or distinction) in a relevant topic, as well as a First Class or Upper Second Class Bachelor’s degree in the relevant subject area. Relevant subject areas include social sciences, epidemiology, public health, or statistics.

Candidates must be eligible for home fees. 

What we offer

Home Fees

Research Training & Support Grant

Available documents