Career opportunities
The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a PGR and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help support you with your goals for the future.
Typical first destinations at the end of the PhD in Social Statistics programme include:
- lectureships;
- research posts;
- senior administrative positions in local government;
- NHS;
- Consultancy.
There is a need for well-trained social scientists who are able to apply advanced methods of analysis to complex data. These skills are in short supply and our graduates leave in a good position to obtain jobs in:
- the academic sector;
- central government;
- the Office for National Statistics;
- local government;
- the commercial research sector.
Our researcher development programme will enable you to become more aware of your developing researcher identity, equipping you with the skills you need during your PhD and preparing you to integrate into the researcher community.
We offer training sessions to build your skills and confidence in writing and presenting, with specific sessions on viva preparation, thesis submission and preparing for your Review Panel.
You'll also have access to a range of workshops, covering areas such as:
- increasing research impact through blog posts;
- making the most of social media;
- publishing in journals;
- applying for fellowships;
- designing academic posters;
- improving time and self-management.
In addition, our Humanities training hub gives you additional training opportunities in public engagement, wellbeing, language training and teaching, alongside specialist courses in tools and software such as Python, R and NVivo.
methods@manchester is an initiative that gives you the chance to learn from the very best in research methods expertise at Manchester and beyond. Regular talks, workshops and other methods-related events are organised throughout the academic year.
Finally, taking a placement provides a great opportunity to engage in knowledge exchange and to develop professional networking opportunities for your future career development.
We have established Postgraduate Researcher Exchange programmes with a number of institutions around the world, offering you the opportunity to visit another institution, access research resources and experience another academic culture as well as build professional networks.
Successful applicants will receive some funding towards travel expenses, accommodation, subsistence, education materials and/or other education-related costs.
For more information, visit our Research training and professional development page.
Career stories from former PhD students include:
“I completed my PhD in Social Statistics, which pursued a quantitative analysis of Home Office crime data. I am now a Senior Lecturer in Criminology.”
“I completed a PhD in Social Statistics researching ethnic inequalities and collaborated with the Alan Turing Institute. I am now a Research Associate working on a study of life expectancy.”