Postgraduate research (PhD)

The Manchester Institute of Innovation Research host around thirty doctoral researchers studying a wide variety of exciting topics around the study of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy and management.

Apply

You can apply for our PhD research programmes through the Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS):

• PhD Science, Technology and Innovation Policy
• PhD Business and Management
  

Scholarship and funding

Details of PhD scholarships are available online:

• Funding opportunities in AMBS

ESRC studentship funding

Both of our doctoral programmes are eligible for funding support from the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), through the North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP). Funded studentships for both programmes are available through the Business and Management Pathway.

Applications for studentship funding are submitted through the relevant admissions contact at the University of Manchester as part of the NWSSDTP competition. The competition for October 2027 entry opens in August 2026. ESRC studentships cover tuition fees at the Home rate, provide an annual maintenance stipend (£20,780 for full-time study in 2025-26), and include a Research Training Support Grant for eligible research expenses. International applicants may be eligible for funding, subject to the NWSSDTP's current eligibility and allocation criteria.

Research focus

The Manchester Institute of Innovation Research has a particular interest in candidates working in areas complementary to our research themes, especially:

• AI in science
• Governance of emerging technologies
• Innovation districts and university led innovation eco-systems
• Industry 4.0 (AI, robotics, IoT, etc.)
• S&TI Policy evaluation
• AI and technology foresight
• Health and medical innovation
• Innovation in creative industries
• Entrepreneurship and regional development
• Design in innovation
• Sustainability supply chains
• Finance and financialisation of sustainability and innovation
• Technological sovereignty, economic security concerns and ST&I policies

Eligibility

We are looking for those with:

• a high merit or distinction level masters degree from an internationally recognised university in an appropriate topic;
• good English skills; and
• a relevant topic for study backed by a proposal that demonstrates an ability to work with academic theory.