We welcome applications from students interested in conducting theory-driven empirical PhD research focusing on any aspect of political institutions and behaviour, comparing individuals, regions, or countries in any part of the world. We particularly encourage those students to contact us who are eager to learn and apply formal theory and/or quantitative methods to substantively interesting problems. 

Interested in PhD Study With Us? 

We offer:  

• close collaboration and support in preparing and submitting high-quality PhD-funding applications to UKRI doctoral training centres and other funding opportunities 
• ready access to and hands-on guidance concerning the original event database on 19th century election violence, as well as various other collected historical data from England and Wales 
• close supervision by a team of researchers with extensive publication, funding, and supervision experience 
• affiliation with the Centre of Institutions and Political Behaviour at SGIA, which provides a vibrant and supportive environment for PhD students to carry out cutting-edge research and access to a variety of support and benefits, including seed funding for research and events, the involvement in ongoing research projects, participation in regularly held research development workshops, and other events, such as the guest lecture series. 

What to do next: 

If you are interested in studying for a PhD with supervision from members of the Centre of Institutions and Political Behavior at Durham University we encourage you to apply to the School of Government and International Affairs. Before doing so, however, we suggest you first do the following: 

1. Look at the profiles of the CIPB's academic staff, and see whether any are a good fit for your research ideas. Help with this can also be found by selecting a sub-field here. 
2. Opportunities for funding are competitive and provided through the Northern Ireland and North-East Doctoral Training Partnership (NINE DTP), the Northern Bridge Consortium, or Durham Doctoral Studentships.  Study the websites and find the scholarships you may qualify for. Students who are self-funded or are funded through other sources are also welcome.
3. Write a two-page summary of what your dissertation will be about, which research gap it intends to fill, what it will accomplish and how.
4. Contact your preferred supervisor by email, including both your two-page dissertation summary, current CV, and UG/MA transcripts. 
5. Questions may be directed to the CIPB's PGR lead: Dr Vittorio Merola-Marotta (2022/23).

Important: The application deadline for most funding opportunities are in January each year and developing a competitive dissertation proposal with your prospective supervisor takes time. Therefore, we strongly recommend that candidates contact us as soon as possible, preferably in early November.