Join our next PhD student placement scheme!
We’re offering a PhD student placement opportunity as part of our leadership role on the social care theme for the Administrative Data Research (ADR) Wales programme of work.
ADR Wales
ADR Wales is part of the ADR UK investment. ADR UK brings together data and approved researchers to enable research that can inform policy decisions and more effective public services. In Wales, ADR Wales is made up of data science experts, leading academics from Swansea University and Cardiff University and specialist teams within Welsh Government. Together they produce data-driven evidence that can help to shape future policy decisions in Wales.
Who can apply?
Eligible students must be undertaking a PhD on social care at a higher education institution in Wales. The placement can be full time for a three-month period or part time for six months.
The aims of the scheme
We’re running this placement as part of our ADR Wales work to support and shape social care researchers for the future.
Our PhD placement scheme provides an opportunity to:
- apply and develop research skills to real-world issues
- gain practical experience of carrying out research in the Welsh public sector
- increase understanding and experience of social care policy and practice in Wales
- develop personal and professional skills that can be applied to future careers
- grow networks and connections amongst academics, policy makers and practitioners.
Areas of work
Successful applicants will be supported to contribute to a diverse programme of work that might include:
- promoting findings from our priority-setting exercise for linked data research
- engaging with our adult social care linked data research group
- writing content that promotes the benefits of linked data research in adult social care
- encouraging the use of the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank
- supporting researchers and stakeholders involved in adult social care data projects
- developing skills in linked data methods.
“This experience has given me the confidence to continue a career in social care research beyond my PhD.” - Amber Browne, PhD student who previously benefitted from this placement.
How to apply
You can apply for this placement through our jobs portal: https://jobs.socialcare.wales/
The closing date for applications is 25 August 2025.
Please make sure that you have permission from your supervisor, institution, and funder before applying for this placement.
For more information on the placement, please contact jeni.meyrick@socialcare.wales.
If you want to learn more about Amber's experiences visit: My PhD placement at Social Care Wales.