Funded PhD in Political Economy of Quantum Technologies at University of Glasgow University of Glasgow in United Kingdom

The University of Glasgow is offering a fully funded PhD position in the Political Economy of Quantum Technologies, supported by the ESRC through the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science. The project, titled "National Security and the New Industrial Policy: A Comparative Political Economy of Quantum Technology Strategies," investigates how national security concerns and emerging industrial policies shape the development and deployment of quantum technologies. This interdisciplinary research will analyze why some countries, such as the UK, US, and Germany, succeed in converting quantum research leadership into sovereign industrial capacity, while others do not.

The research will employ comparative political economy methods, including elite interviews and document analysis, as well as engineering-informed assessments of supply chains and technology readiness. The project is suitable for applicants from social sciences, engineering, physical sciences, or those with professional experience in government, defence, industry, or think tanks. The supervisory team includes Gemma Milne, Scott Lavery, and Douglas J Paul, bringing together expertise in social studies of deep tech and policy-relevant research.

The PhD is based at the University of Glasgow, with funding provided by the ESRC and the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science. The application deadline is 24 March 2026, 5pm GMT. Interested candidates should apply via the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science, following the link provided in the LinkedIn post comments. This opportunity is ideal for those interested in the intersection of technology, security, and political economy, and who wish to contribute to critical research on national quantum strategies and industrial policy.