Closing Date 15^th November 2013                                                                

Start Date: 1^st January 2014

Would you like to develop research that will shape the skills and training policy for the entire UK construction sector? If so then read on.

The UK construction sector faces unprecedented challenges. The Government’s Industrial Strategy for the construction sector has set challenging aspirations to reduce costs, time, carbon and the trade deficit. Changing construction and information technologies are fundamentally reshaping the way in which projects are designed and delivered, bringing with them new skills and knowledge requirements. At the same time, major investments in infrastructure are putting a strain on the sector to deliver ever more complex projects that will fuel economic growth over the next 15 years. It is vital, therefore, that the skills and labour market implications of this sector activity are understood in order to inform policy interventions aimed at ensuring a sustainable and suitably skilled workforce.

This industry-based doctoral studentship, a partnership between Loughborough University and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), aims to conduct research to better inform skills policy making for the sector. It offers an excellent opportunity for the successful applicant to conduct applied labour market research within an industry setting, and to generate outputs with immediate downstream application and policy influence. 

Research Project Aims and Objectives

The aims and objectives of the research are to:

• analyse secondary sources of data in order to develop a state-of-the-art review of demand side characteristics;
• collect primary data on labour supply side characteristics from training providers and other skills agencies;
• explore the implications of extraneous influences on skills demand and supply, particularly those relating to new construction technologies and those associated with incoming low carbon policies; and to
• model supply side data as a basis for informing future policy interventions.

About the Research & Development Department

The successful applicant will join a team of seven research staff who have responsibility for the delivery of an annual research programme of around 20 projects and the production of other business related intelligence. This position will provide the successful candidate with the chance to work on a series of major research projects that will inform Government policy on important decisions relating to the future of skills funding.

Suitable Candidates

This doctoral studentship is open to graduates with a background in economics, business or construction, although candidates from other backgrounds will be considered if they have relevant interests and expertise. The minimum entry qualification is a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent. A lower qualification is acceptable if supplemented with an appropriate postgraduate (Masters) qualification and relevant experience. Successful completion will lead to the award of an Engineering Doctorate (Eng.D).                                                                          

Successful applicants receive an enhanced tax-free stipend of £19,000 p.a. and a generous training allowance. The stipend may be higher for experienced graduates. Tuition fees will be paid at home/EU student rates. Due to Tier 4 visa restrictions on industry placements, this is only available to UK/EU applicants.

The successful candidate will be located within CITB’s Head Office in Bircham Newton, Norfolk, whilst also attending Loughborough University as required.

Please note: previous applicants need not apply.

For further details please visit www.cice.org.uk

For an informal discussion contact Professor Andrew Dainty a.r.j.dainty@lboro.ac.uk or Professor Stephen Ison s.g.ison@lboro.ac.uk