Scholarships & funding

ESRC Doctoral Studentship – National Security and the “new” industrial policy: A comparative political economy of quantum technology strategies

Project details

National Security and the “New” Industrial Policy: A Comparative Political Economy of Quantum Technology Strategies

This project investigates the intersection of national security and emerging industrial policy through the lens of quantum technology development. In the wake of NATO’s 2025 pledge to increase defence spending and a broader Western turn toward strategic industrial policy, quantum technologies have emerged as a critical dual-use sector offering transformative capabilities in computing, communications, and sensing. Governments are responding with ambitious national quantum strategies, exemplified by the UK’s National Quantum Strategy (2023), the US National Quantum Initiative Act (2018), and Germany’s Quantum Technologies Framework Programme (2018).

The central research question of this PhD project asks why some states succeed in converting quantum research leadership into sovereign industrial capacity, while others lag. To answer this, the project conducts a comparative political economy analysis of the UK, US, and Germany: three early movers with distinct institutional configurations. Drawing on the tradition of comparative political economy (CPE), the project explores how state capacity, government-industry coordination and policy networks shape technological outcomes.

Methodologically, the study integrates qualitative social science with engineering-informed analysis. It combines document analysis, elite interviews, and assessments of technology readiness, supply-chain dependencies, and manufacturing constraints. This interdisciplinary approach enables a nuanced understanding of how institutional and technical factors interact to shape national innovation trajectories.

The project contributes empirically by mapping the emerging quantum industrialisation landscape; theoretically by advancing CPE and innovation systems research; and methodologically by linking political-economic analysis with engineering insights. Ultimately, it develops a novel framework for understanding how states govern technological uncertainty and pursue industrial advantage in a shifting geopolitical context.

Supervisory Team:
• First Supervisor: Dr Scott Lavery, scott.lavery@glasgow.ac.uk
• Second Supervisor: Professor Douglas Paul, douglas.paul@glasgow.ac.uk
• Third Supervisor: Ms Gemma Milne, gemma.milne@glasgow.ac.uk

About the University

The University of Glasgow has been changing the world since 1451. We are a world top 100 university and a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading UK research universities. Glasgow has been home to numerous scholars including Lord Kelvin, James Watt, William John Macquorn Rankine, Robert Stirling, John Logie Baird, Adam Smith, Joseph Black and Frederick Soddy. The University has had 8 Nobel Prize winners and is home to a diverse student population of over 23,000 undergraduates and 19,500 graduates from over 140 countries. This PhD Project will be situated in the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow.

Our PhD programmes are aimed at those who wish to become experts in a specialised field. A PhD is increasingly necessary for a successful academic career but is also becoming an important distinguishing qualification for those who aspire to top positions in business, politics and the media.
We provide research students with challenging and high-quality training in the theory and practice of research in the social sciences. In terms of this research project, our School contains numerous specialists and research communities in international relations, international political economy, security studies and policy analysis as well as numerous relevant research clusters. As a research graduate, you will be equipped to design and conduct high-quality research, and you will be prepared for employment where excellent analytic and communication skills are valued.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Applicants must hold or be predicted a First or a good 2:1 undergraduate degree in the social sciences, or have relevant comparable experience.
• Applicants can have a Masters degree, however this is not a requirement.
• The applicant must also show demonstrable interest in the topic area under investigation.
• Applicants can study part-time or full-time

Additional information

• Applicants with a degree from outside the social sciences may still be considered, provided they can demonstrate a track record of professional experience – for example in the civil service, government, think tanks, or the private sector – relevant to the project
• The candidate must abide by trusted research principles as outlined by UKRI here

Funding

As per guidance published by UKRI in October 2020, a maximum of 30% of all studentships awarded can be made to international students, with the remaining 70% going to home students. 

Residential Criteria

To be classed as a home student, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a UK national (meeting residency requirements), or
• Have settled status, or
• Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

For more on the UKRI eligibility guidance, click here

Number of Scholarships

1

Value

Award details

The scholarship is available as a +3.5 (3 year PhD and placement) or a 1+3.5 (Masters year, 3 year PhD, and a placement) studentship depending on prior research training. This will be assessed as part of the recruitment process, however you can access guidance here to help you decide on which to apply for. The programme will commence in October 2026. The full ESRC studentship package includes, as advised by ESRC:

• An annual maintenance grant (stipend)
• Fees at the standard institutional home rate
• Students can also draw on a pooled Research Training Support Grant (RTSG)

How to apply

Additional Information requested as part of the application: 

• A 1- to 2-page motivation letter outlining (i) why this funded PhD project appeals to you intellectually and/or professionally (ii) how your academic and/or professional track record to date means that you are in a good position to successfully deliver to the project

If you are shortlisted for an interview:

At interview candidates will be expected to present for up to 10 minutes on what motivates them to undertake this PhD project and why their experience is appropriate to be able to undertake the research work.

There will be opportunities for internships to spend time in UK Government Departments to aid the research.

1. Applicants must register on SGSSS Apply, completing their Equal Opportunities data.
2. Applicants must apply via SGSSS Apply, uploading the following documentation:

• Application Questions (answered within SGSSS Apply, no upload needed)
• Academic transcripts
• Academic prizes
• Referee information
• CV
• Other information (if required by the advert)

We strongly encourage applicants review the applicant guidance document for more on the process. 

Please Note:

• This is not an application to the relevant University, this is an application for SGSSS (ESRC) funding.
• Students do not need a Masters/PhD offer from the relevant University before they can apply for funding, i.e. this studentship.
• If successful in obtaining the SGSSS (ESRC) studentship, students can only start the funded studentship once they have an unconditional Masters/PhD degree offer from the relevant University. It is your responsibility to find out the University’s application process, including when you need to secure your offer, as SGSSS plays no role in this process.

Apply now via SGSSS Apply

Selection process

Applications will be ranked by an internal institutional selection panel, and you will be notified if you have been shortlisted for interview on 27 March. Interviews will take place in April 2026.

This studentship award is subject to the successful candidate securing admission to a PhD programme within the University of Glasgow. The successful candidate will be invited to apply for admission to the relevant PhD programme.

Applications are due 24 March 2026, 5 pm GMT and

References are due 26 March 2026, 5 pm GMT

 

 

For more information contact: team@sgsss.ac.uk