S&E Underrepresented Group Doctoral Research Studentships

The Queen Mary Faculty of Science and Engineering is inviting applications for Doctoral Research Studentships from UK candidates from underrepresented groups (e.g., Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) in research in the UK with priority this round to Black, Black British, Caribbean, or African candidates. Up to 6 PhD studentships (in addition to many other opportunities across our schools in S&E) are being offered and will be awarded on the basis of the excellence of the applicant. The competition is part of a wider set of measures being implemented to increase the participation of students from UK underrepresented groups at PGR level conducting research at Queen Mary University of London. 

The proposed research topic must fit within the strategic research areas and remits in the faculty of Science and Engineering at QMUL. Studentships will be awarded to the most outstanding candidates applying for a full-time or part-time PhD programme starting in autumn 2024. Awards are tenable for up to 3.5 years, and cover tuition fees and a maintenance stipend at the UKRI London rate (c.£21,237 p.a. full-time, £10,619 part-time; 2025/26 rates tbc).

Eligibility

In order to be considered for an award, applicants should have (or expect to have by the end of the 2024/25 academic year) a master’s degree or equivalent in an appropriate field. You must be a UK permanent resident from an underrepresented group in research, e.g., Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic, with the priority for this round given to those from Black origin, and eligible to pay home student fees. You will also be considered for other studentships if indicated in the application.

How to apply 

You are strongly advised to find an appropriate academic supervisor and to work together on the application materials consisting of your online application form, CV, Research Proposal, and Personal Statement. Please use 11pt arial font with 2cm page margins. The A4 page limits are 2 for the CV and Research Proposal, and 1 for the Personal Statement.

How your application will be assessed

Your application will be considered and ranked by a School selection panel. Selected applications will then be considered by the Faculty Panel with a broad range of subject specialists and expertise in Doctoral Training. The School panel will evaluate applications using the following criteria with equal weighting:

• Quality of proposal – i.e., the significance, originality, and motivation of the proposed research; its underpinning ideas, aims, and research questions; the research design, methodology; the suitability of the proposal for doctoral research. This also includes the feasibility of the project, i.e., the project’s timeline; the identification of training needs; justification of any fieldwork and study visits; and fit with the expertise and interests of the named supervisory team
  
  
• Excellence of applicant – i.e., previous academic achievements in relevant subject areas; any relevant professional/practitioner experience (particularly for applicants with non-standard academic trajectories); and relevant knowledge, skills, and/or training for the proposed research

Offers will be made to successful candidates after March 2025 to be accepted or declined within one week. Please note that these awards cannot be deferred.