Innovation, Operations and Supply Management research group

The College of Business and Law at the University of the West of England in Bristol invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship with the Innovation, Operations and Supply Management research group.

Reference: 25-26-April-CBL01

Closing date for applications: Sunday 18 January 2026

Start date of this studentship: Wednesday 1 April 2026

The College of Business and Law is a host to lively and challenging PhD programme. Students benefit from its modern facilities and a welcoming research environment comprising diverse research groups and centres.

The studentship reflects ongoing commitment of the College of Business and Law to the development of its doctoral programmes.

Doctoral students at the College benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Doctoral Academy, including extensive professional development programme, research skills training and careers advice.

The Innovation, Operations and Supply Management (IOMS) Research Group explores how organisations innovate, operate, and adapt within complex global systems. We invite expressions of interest for a PhD project that critically examines how organisations navigate operational challenges to foster innovation, resilience and equity.

Projects should align with the UWE Bristol RISE agenda and may focus on public, private, and not-for-profit sectors at regional, national or international levels. We welcome diverse methodological approaches, provided they are feasible for the proposed project.

The research should explore how innovation and operations shape inclusive futures, particularly in relation to sustainability, digital transformation and social equity.

Indicative themes include, but are not limited to:

• How individuals and organisations enact innovation and agency in constrained or challenging environments.
• The relationships between digital transformation, mental wellbeing and sustainable performance in emerging forms of work.
• The design of smart and connected systems (for example, homes, workplaces or supply chains) that drive inclusion and behavioural change.
• Ethical and inclusive procurement and supply management as drivers of social and economic resilience.

Further details on members, potential supervisors and research activities are available on the IOMS webpage.

For an informal discussion about the studentship, please contact College Director of Doctoral Research, Dr Paweł Capik at pawel.capik@uwe.ac.uk

For an informal discussion about the project proposal please contact Professor Wendy Philips at wendy.phillips@uwe.ac.uk

The studentship is available from Wednesday 1 April 2026 for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory progress, and includes a tax-exempt stipend of £20,780 per annum.

In addition, full-time tuition fees will be covered for up to three years.

Applicants must have at least 2.1 degree in business management, innovation studies, supply chain management, or a cognate discipline, and preferably Masters degree (with average programme mark of no less than 65%, UK grading scale or international equivalent).

A recognised English language qualification is required. IELTS score of 7.0 overall, or equivalent.

Please submit your application online. When prompted use the reference number 25-26-April-CBL01

Supporting documentation

Prepare your research proposal – no more than five pages all-inclusive; font size 11, 1.5-spacing, 2-inch margins. Indicative contents: research context and rationale, brief literature review, research focus (objectives/research questions), proposed methodology and expected contribution of the project. Development of research proposal should happen in consultation with the potential supervisor. You should contact the potential supervisor with an advanced draft of the proposal to confirm they are willing to support your application.

References

You will need to provide details of two referees as part of your application. At least one referee must be an academic referee from the institution that conferred your highest degree. Your referee will be asked for a reference at the time you submit your application, so please ensure that your nominated referees are willing and able to provide references within 14 days of your application being submitted.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 18 January 2026 at 18:00 (UK time).

Interviews will take place online in February. If you have not heard from us by Friday 20 February 2026, we thank you for your application but on this occasion you have not been successful.