PhD and MSc+PhD Opportunities in Social Demography, Global Health, and Statistical Methodology 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 and MSc+PhD studentships through the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (SCDTP). The department offers supervision across a broad spectrum of demographic research, including family and social demography, global health, migration modelling, and advanced statistical methodology applied to social sciences and official statistics. Research themes include population change, fertility, migration, health and mortality, and the development of statistical methods for social science data.

The SCDTP is a collaboration between the Universities of Southampton, Brighton, Portsmouth, and Chichester, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. It awards a minimum of 34 studentships per year to social scientists pursuing PhD or combined MSc+PhD studies. The University of Southampton hosts several research centres of excellence, such as the National Centre for Research Methods and the Centre for Population Change, providing a vibrant academic environment for interdisciplinary research and advanced quantitative training.

Available studentships include 1+3.5 MSc+PhD, +3.5 PhD, and +4.5 interdisciplinary awards, all featuring a Research-in-Practice placement. The programme emphasizes student-centred postgraduate training, advanced quantitative skills, and engagement with ESRC-funded resources. Applicants interested in distance learning are not eligible for funding, but may contact Dr Liliana Andriano for alternative options.

Prospective students should have a strong academic background relevant to social demography, global health, migration modelling, or statistical methodology. The department encourages candidates to review its research areas and contact potential supervisors for guidance. The application deadline for the 2026/27 academic year is 16:00 GMT on 16th January 2026. For further details, visit the South Coast DTP website or contact Dr Liliana Andriano at [email protected].

Key research groups and centres include the Centre for Population Change, Gender and Inequalities Centre, Global Health Community of Practice, National Centre for Research Methods, and the Statistical Sciences Research Institute. The department's research impacts policy and practice in areas such as fertility forecasting, climate and health solutions, population distribution mapping, maternal and neonatal health, and survey methodology.

For more information on the department's work and to identify relevant supervisors, visit the department's website and the supervisor directory. This opportunity is ideal for students seeking to advance their expertise in social demography, global health, and statistical methodology within a leading UK research environment.