Fully Funded PhD Studentships in Social Statistics and Demography at University of Southampton University of Southampton in United Kingdom

The Department of Social Statistics and Demography at the University of Southampton invites applications for fully funded PhD studentships through the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (SCDTP). This opportunity is ideal for prospective researchers passionate about social statistics, demography, and population change. The department is internationally recognized for its expertise in family and social demography, population and global health, migration and demographic modelling, statistical methodology for the social sciences, and official statistics and survey methods.

Research in the department addresses real-world challenges such as fertility forecasting, maternal and neonatal health, migration, and the impact of climate change on population distribution. The department collaborates with leading research centres, including the National Centre for Research Methods and the Centre for Population Change. Students benefit from advanced quantitative training, interdisciplinary approaches, and engagement with policy-makers and international organizations.

The SCDTP offers several funding routes: 1+3.5 MSc+PhD (with a Research-in-Practice placement), +3.5 PhD only (with placement), and +4.5 interdisciplinary route (with placement). All routes are fully funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), covering tuition fees and providing a maintenance grant. Both UK and international students are eligible to apply. Distance learning PhDs are not eligible for this funding.

Applicants should have a strong academic background in a relevant field such as social science, statistics, or demography. Entry requirements include a first or upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) for the 1+3.5 route, or a relevant master's degree for the +3.5 route. English language proficiency is required for non-native speakers. The department encourages applications from candidates with a passion for population change, social statistics, and research methods.

The application deadline for 2026/27 entry is 16 January 2026, 16:00 GMT. Prospective applicants should review the SCDTP details, explore research in the department, and identify a potential supervisor. For further information and to apply, visit the SCDTP website or contact Dr Liliana Andriano (Doctoral Programme Director) at [email protected].

Key research keywords: social statistics, demography, population change, family demography, global health, migration, demographic modelling, statistical methodology, survey methods, official statistics.