Ref: VCS-BUS-02-13
Description:
This three-year project will examine the effects of the current fiscal pressures on workplace-level labour-management relations in Britain’s public sector. While public-sector workplaces are highly likely to recognize unions, they are also far more likely than their private-sector counterparts to have responded to the current crisis by freezing pay and hiring, making staff redundant, reducing paid overtime, reorganizing work, or cutting training budgets. Is this leading to more joint labour-management problem solving, or more conflict, or more of both? How do these varying industrial relations processes shape pay, benefits, job quality, and inequality? How are these effects mediated by the involvement of other actors (such as community groups, politicians, and private contractors) and longer-term trends in management reform (New Public Management)? How have union strategies changed, and under what conditions have they been successful (in terms of organizational renewal and reshaping working conditions)?
The student will undertake original research in this area that is expected to lead to a PhD at the University of Greenwich. The expectation is that he or she will work closely together with researchers within the Work and Employment Research Unit (WERU), through joint data collection, analysis, co-authorship of articles, and presentations at conferences.
The successful candidate will receive a £13726 bursary (years 2 and 3 linked to RCUK Doctoral Stipend rate) plus a contribution towards tuition fees of up to the equivalent of the universityâs Home/EU rate for the duration of their scholarship, subject to performance.
Applicants must hold a First Class or Upper Second Class Honours Bachelorâs or Masterâs degree (UK or UK equivalent) in a relevant discipline.Â
Applications are sought by the indicated closing date for starting in September 2013.
For further information please contact the supervisors:Â Professor Ian Greer +44(0)20 8331 9908
For additional information about the studentship and links to the application form please go to: http://www2.gre.ac.uk/research/study/studentshipsÂ
The application form should be completed and returned to: postgraduateresearch@gre.ac.uk and include: a comprehensive CV and a covering letter explaining your interest in the project and how it relates to past experience and present motivations. Attachments should be in PDF or Word format.
The closing date for applications is 12.00 UTC on Tuesday 4 June 2013