• PhD Research Studentship: 3 years
• MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, Institute of Health and Well-being, University of Glasgow
• Parenting and childcare in the early years: Barriers, supports, and consequences for child health inequalities in Scotland
• Primary supervisor: Dr Anna Pearce
• Secondary supervisor: Professor Alastair Leyland.
• Approximate start date: September 2018
• Funding: UK/EU tuition fees and a stipend of £14,777 per annum, for the period of 36 months, plus a generous training allowance

UK children growing up in less-advantaged socioeconomic circumstances live shorter and less healthy lives than their more-advantaged peers, and their parents are more likely to experience barriers to achieving healthy lifestyles for themselves and their children. Understanding how governments can support families to prevent these unfair and costly inequalities is essential.

This PhD project will examine the potential for investments in childcare and/or parenting programmes to improve child health and reduce inequalities.

Specifically, the PhD candidate will carry out literature and policy scoping reviews, and secondary data analysis (in datasets such as Growing Up in Scotland), to examine the following questions:

1. How are different aspects of parenting (e.g., parenting style or activities) and/or childcare (e.g., childcare type, quality) associated with children’s health and development?
2. What are the possible barriers and supports to parenting (e.g., mental health, social networks) and/or childcare (e.g., availability and affordability of childcare places)?
3. To what extent might different aspects of childcare and/or parenting explain or alter inequalities in children’s health?
4. Might information routinely collected by governments (e.g., in the Early Learning and Childcare Census) be used to further our understanding of these questions?

The successful candidate will be based within the Measurement and Analysis of Socioeconomic Inequalities in Health programme at the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, with the possibility of working with other programmes in the Unit. They will receive formal and on-the-job training and have the opportunity to shape the project to their expertise and interests. They will be encouraged to attend and present at national and international conferences, to publish in peer-reviewed journals, and, where relevant, to consider ways in which they might extend this research after completion of the PhD.

Applications should be submitted to Postgraduate Admissions. Please ensure you apply to MVLS – MRC/CSO PhD Studentships.

The full set of supporting documents noted below are required to be uploaded at the point of application:

• CV
• Degree certificate (if you have graduated prior to 01 July 2015)
• Passport
• Personal statement (This should provide any other required information in support of the application, such as evidence of previous academic or professional experience that qualifies you for the programme (projects, placements, voluntary work, etc). You should state the reasons for your interest in this project and what benefit you hope to achieve through successful completion of the PhD. The statement should include any research projects in which you have been involved. The statement should not be longer than one A4 page.
• Two A4 page research proposal (You are strongly encouraged to discuss this with Dr Anna Pearce prior to submission).
• Reference 1 (should be from an academic who has a knowledge of your academic ability from your most recent study/programme)
• Reference 2 (should be from an academic who has a knowledge of your academic ability)
• Transcripts

Enquiries regarding the PhD project should be directed to anna.pearce@glasgow.ac.uk Once you have submitted your application, please email susan.wilkie@glasgow.ac.uk to confirm. General enquiries regarding the application process can be directed to susan.wilkie@glasgow.ac.uk

Closing date for applications: 31 May 2018

Interviews will be held on: 20th June 2018