PhD Studentship: Do Educational Pathways Mitigate Social Class Inequalities in Early Labour Market Outcomes? Evidence from Growing Up in Scotland University of Strathclyde in United Kingdom

[Fully-funded scholarship for 3 years covers all university tuition fees (at UK level) and an annual tax-free stipend. International students are eligible but must cover the difference between home and international fees unless exceptionally funded.]

This fully-funded PhD studentship at the University of Strathclyde investigates whether educational pathways can mitigate social class inequalities in early labour market outcomes, using data from the Growing Up in Scotland study. The project is situated at the intersection of social mobility, educational inequality, and labour market stratification, with a specific focus on the Scottish context. The research aims to provide policy-relevant evidence on how education can promote social mobility and reduce labour market inequalities among young adults.

The successful candidate will join a vibrant research environment and work under the supervision of Dr Michael Vallely, Professor Patricia Findlay, and Professor Markus Klein. The project will employ advanced quantitative methods, including regression analysis, and will require experience with longitudinal datasets and statistical software such as Stata or R. The findings are expected to contribute to the evidence base on educational inequality and inform policy debates in Scotland and beyond.

The studentship is fully funded for three years, covering all university tuition fees at the UK level and providing an annual tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate. International students are welcome to apply; however, they must secure additional funding to cover the difference between home and international tuition fees unless they are exceptionally selected for full coverage. The position is open to candidates with a first-class or upper second-class Honours degree and a Masters degree in a social science discipline, with demonstrated competence in quantitative research methods. Experience with longitudinal data and statistical software is desirable.

The application deadline is 30 April 2026, with a start date of 1 October 2026. Applicants should apply online via the University of Strathclyde portal and ensure they meet all eligibility criteria. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview. For further details, refer to the official advert or contact the supervisors directly.