The University of St Andrews and the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) are inviting applications for the prestigious St Andrews–Max Planck PhD Studentship in Population, Health and Data Science for 2026. This highly competitive 3.5-year doctoral opportunity is designed for exceptional and motivated students who are passionate about population health, quantitative research, social inequalities, and data science.
This international PhD studentship provides successful applicants with the rare opportunity to study and conduct research in both Germany and the United Kingdom while working with globally recognized experts in demographic research, public health, and advanced statistical modelling.
The programme is jointly funded by the University of St Andrews and the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR), making it one of the most attractive doctoral research opportunities currently available for students interested in population and health sciences.
About the PhD Research Project
The selected PhD candidate will work on an interdisciplinary project focused on understanding the social and environmental determinants of health and socio-economic outcomes during adolescence and emerging adulthood.
The research adopts a life-course approach, meaning it seeks to understand how experiences and exposures during adolescence shape long-term outcomes later in life. The project will investigate how adverse socio-economic conditions, environmental exposures, and structural inequalities influence important areas such as:
- Health outcomes
- Education and academic achievement
- Housing conditions
- Family formation
- Socio-economic mobility
- Regional and structural inequalities
The study will explore whether these exposures accumulate over time or act during particularly sensitive developmental periods to influence future outcomes.
To achieve this, the successful candidate will apply advanced quantitative methods, longitudinal analysis, demographic techniques, and statistical modelling to large-scale population data.
This makes the programme especially suitable for candidates with strong analytical skills and interests in population studies, epidemiology, public health, statistics, sociology, geography, economics, or data science.
International Research Experience in Germany and the UK
One of the strongest aspects of this studentship is its international structure.
For the first 21 months, the PhD student will work at the Laboratory of Population Health at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Rostock, Germany. MPIDR is internationally recognized as one of the world’s leading centres for demographic and population research.
During this period, the student will enroll in the International Max Planck Research School for Population, Health and Data Science (IMPRS-PHDS). This provides advanced research training, collaboration opportunities, and access to a vibrant international academic environment.
The research is also connected to:
- The Centre for Population Change & Connecting Generations
- The Max Planck – University of Helsinki Center for Social Inequalities in Population Health
After the Germany phase, the student will continue the remaining period of the PhD at the University of St Andrews in the United Kingdom.
At St Andrews, the student will become part of the Population and Health Research Group within the School of Geography and Sustainable Development (SGSD). This group specializes in demographic, longitudinal, and spatial analysis and offers an excellent academic environment for doctoral research.
The PhD thesis is expected to be prepared as a collection of research articles in line with the postgraduate research regulations of the University of St Andrews.
Financial Benefits and Funding Coverage
The St Andrews–Max Planck PhD Studentship is fully funded and provides extensive financial support throughout the programme.
During the Germany Phase (MPIDR)
The successful candidate will receive:
- A gross annual salary of approximately €40,000
- Annual bonus payments (Sonderzahlung)
- Funding support for travel
- Research training support
- Data acquisition funding
During the UK Phase (University of St Andrews)
The studentship includes:
- Annual maintenance stipend of £19,775 (subject to increase for 2026/27)
- Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £750 per year
- Full tuition fee waiver
This comprehensive funding package ensures that students can fully focus on research, professional development, and academic growth.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is ideal for students who:
- Have a strong academic background
- Enjoy data analysis and quantitative research
- Are passionate about public health and social inequalities
- Want international research exposure
- Aspire to build careers in academia, policy, research, or global health institutions
Applicants should possess an excellent Master’s degree with distinction, merit, or equivalent qualification in relevant disciplines.
Candidates with backgrounds in:
- Statistics
- Applied Mathematics
- Population Studies
- Sociology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Geography
- Economics
- Data Science
- Demography
- Social Sciences
are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application Requirements
Applicants are expected to:
- Apply to the “PhD Geography (Science)” programme at the University of St Andrews
- Submit a strong personal statement explaining their interest in advanced quantitative methods and population research
- Upload an academic writing sample, usually a chapter from a Master’s dissertation
- Meet postgraduate research entry requirements
Shortlisted applicants are expected to be interviewed during the second half of June 2026.
The University of St Andrews and the Max Planck Society are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
Interested applicants are encouraged to prepare their documents early and submit strong applications before the deadline.
Why This Opportunity Matters
This PhD studentship offers far more than financial support. It provides:
- International academic exposure
- Access to world-class demographic research institutions
- Advanced quantitative and statistical training
- Interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities
- A pathway into high-impact academic and policy careers
For students passionate about population health, inequalities, and data-driven research, this programme represents an exceptional opportunity to develop expertise while contributing to globally relevant research.
Deadline:
8th June, 2026
For more information on this opportunity,click here.
For more global opportunities, click here.
