About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
Fully Funded PhD Opportunity with Teaching Experience
The Graduate Teaching Fellowship combines doctoral research with professional teaching responsibilities, allowing successful candidates to develop both academic and teaching expertise.
Under the programme, fellows will:
Undertake full-time PhD studies.
Gain practical university-level teaching experience.
Participate in assessment marking and student support activities.
Receive mentorship and professional development training.
Build a strong academic profile within a leading research-intensive institution.
The fellowship is aimed at preparing future academics and researchers for careers in higher , public policy, and research institutions.
Research Topics Address Contemporary Global Challenges
The Department has identified several cutting-edge research themes for prospective applicants.
Available PhD topics include:
Sociological analyses of Looksmaxxing and online identity formation.
Democratic futures of Artificial Intelligence and political participation.
Environmental harm, extinction, and restoration studies.
Digital representations and visions of future cities.
Leadership, expertise, and lived experience within criminal justice systems.
Online misogyny and female sexfluencer cultures.
Neurodiversity in the Criminal Justice System.
Muslim women, Islamophobia, and football.
Structural inequalities and avoidable deaths following contact with state agencies.
Technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
Public health criminology and sex workers.
Alcohol supply, consumption, and impacts within prisons.
These topics reflect growing global concerns surrounding technology, inequality, social justice, environmental sustainability, and criminal justice reform.
Department Offers Vibrant Research Environment
Established in 1905, the Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology has developed a strong reputation for innovative and socially relevant research.
The department provides:
A dynamic postgraduate research community.
Access to experienced supervisors and researchers.
Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Participation in seminars, conferences, and research events.
Professional development support throughout the doctoral journey.
The department’s PhD community plays a central role in fostering intellectual exchange and collaborative learning among researchers.
Eligibility Requirements for Applicants
The fellowship is open to candidates who meet the following criteria:
Hold a strong undergraduate degree in Sociology, Criminology, Social Policy, or a related discipline.
Have completed, or be close to completing, a Master’s degree or equivalent postgraduate qualification.
Demonstrate the ability to undertake advanced doctoral research.
Show willingness to teach criminology and critical social policy modules alongside their specialist area of expertise.
Previous teaching experience is not mandatory, as successful candidates will receive training and mentoring from the department.
Successful applicants will receive:
Full payment of UK home tuition fees.
An annual maintenance stipend aligned with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) rates.
A maintenance grant of £21,805 for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Funding for three years of full-time PhD registration, subject to satisfactory progress.
Following the funded period, candidates may enter an additional unfunded writing-up year to complete their doctoral thesis.
International Students Encouraged to Apply
The University of Liverpool has confirmed that international applicants are eligible to apply for the fellowship.
However, applicants should note:
The award covers tuition fees only at the UK home student rate.
Any difference between home and international tuition fees must be covered separately.
Visa requirements may apply in accordance with UK immigration regulations.
Application Process
Interested candidates are advised to contact prospective supervisors before submitting an application.
Required application documents include:
An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Academic transcripts.
A personal statement of approximately 500 words outlining motivation and suitability.
A detailed research proposal aligned with the chosen topic.
A sample of academic writing.
Contact details for two academic referees.
Applications must be submitted via email to the School of Law and Social Justice Postgraduate Research Team.
Applicants are advised not to submit applications through the university’s online portal until instructed to do so by the department.
Key Dates for Applicants
Important deadlines include:
Application Deadline: July 1, 2026 (9:00 a.m. UK time)
Programme Start Date: October 1, 2026
Duration: Four years (three funded years plus one writing-up year)
Late submissions will not be considered.
How to apply