3 Studentship in Social Policy at the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research at The University of Kent

ESRC +3 Studentship in Social Policy at the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research at The University of Kent

Applications are invited for a fully-funded 3 year ESRC studentship in the subject area of social policy, to start by 1st September, 2010. The award covers tuition fees, maintenance (currently £13,290 a year), a training support grant as well as funds to conduct UK-based and overseas fieldwork. This award is only open to UK national and EU nationals who have been resident in the UK for three years prior to starting. As this is a +3 award, it is expected that the successful candidate will already have ESRC accredited research training, though in some cases, extra training may be provided if needed. Please make sure you see the section below (Application Criteria) for further information about +3 studentship requirements.

We are looking for a committed and enthusiastic candidate to engage in an innovative area of social policy research on the role of religion in social welfare, preferably within a comparative perspective. The studentship is linked to a larger ESRC project, run by Dr. Rana Jawad called Social Policy and Religion in the Middle East: Beyond the Rentier Sate, Toward a New Ethic Welfare. The studentship should explore an aspect of the contemporary relationship between religion and social policy, though the successful candidate will be able to negotiate the specific parameters of their research. The PhD is also expected to be a comparative study looking at the UK and one other country in the Middle East (ideally Egypt) therefore, candidates with knowledge of the Middle East and the Arabic language are particularly welcome. However, applications not focused on the Middle East will also be considered and assessed on the basis of their overall academic quality.

Application Criteria and Procedures
Applicants MUST have at least a merit at Masters level or academic equivalent, in a relevant discipline.
Applications should be sent by post or email (details below) and should consist of:
- A covering letter, which explains why you are applying and how you meet the application criteria
- A 3-page research proposal [inclusive of bibliographic references], which should be double-spaced and written in Times script size 12
- An up-to-date CV
- A transcript of your previous degree
- Two academic references

The deadline for applications is Monday 22nd March 2010 at 16:00.
Interviews are likely to be held towards the end of April, 2010.

Please post or email the above documentation, marked clearly with “ ESRC Studentship - Rana Jawad - 25782” to: Marilyn Morley, SSPSSR – Medway, University of Kent, Gillingham Building, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4AG,
Email: M.Morley@kent.ac.uk
For further information on the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, please visit http://www.kent.ac.uk/sspssr/

Informal enquiries about the subject matter of the studentship can be made to Rana Jawad, Email: R.Jawad@kent.ac.uk, Tel: 01634 888998
Administrative enquiries should be made to Mr. Jeremy Bede-Cox, School Administration and Business Manager, SSPSSR, University of Kent, Kent : J.F.Bede-Cox@kent.ac.uk

Important note regarding ESRC +3 Studentships

Please check the following ESRC webpage to find out if your Masters qualification is accredited by the ESRC for a +3 studentship. Please note that there are various guidelines for degrees obtained before and after 2007. If you are unsure whether or not your Masters course is recognised by the ESRC, please contact both Rana Jawad and Jeremy Bede-Cox by email for advice. It is possible to apply for this studentship if you have a relevant Masters qualification but still have gaps in your research skills as you can pursue further research training once at Kent University.
http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/opportunities/postgraduate/eligibleoutlets/index.aspx

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