The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Statistics and Operational Research in partnership with industry (STOR-i) is a collaboration between Lancaster's Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the Department of Management Science. STOR-i's goal is the development of international research leaders through a programme in which industrial challenge is the catalyst for mathematical innovation. The Centre's distinctive mission is based on a partnership with several of the UK's leading companies across a range of sectors, including AstraZeneca, BT, IBM, Shell and SSE.

Further details can be found on the STOR-i website.

The Department of Management Science currently offers programme-specific funded studentships aimed at high-achieving applicants.

Eligibility: Management Science applicants only

Interests: Our interests cover information systems and the digital economy, operational research, and operations management, including supply chain and logistics. Supervision is available in all these areas.

More Details: We have a large group of PhD candidates and are seeking others to join them. The funding covers fees and living costs and is only available for full-time study. Details of potential PhD topics can be found on the Management Science PhD supervisor page. For more information, please contact Ms Gay Bentinck.

Deadline: There are two deadlines each year: 31 December and 15 February.

The Department of Accounting and Finance is looking for a PhD student to join the project “Responsibility, Risk and Return: Sustainable Investing for a Resilient Future” from October 2025, and offers a fully funded position. The project is run jointly by LUMS' Department of Accounting and Finance and our industry partner, Robeco.

We offer a 1+3 year studentship funded by the ESRC – Northwest Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership. The PhD Studentship includes payment of full tuition fees and an annual maintenance grant of £21,500 (tax-free) in years 1, 2, 3 and 4. The start date is 1 October 2025. The project is supervised by:

1. Professor Ingmar Nolte (Professor of Finance and Econometrics, EMP, LUMS)
2. Professor Olga Kolokolova (Professor of Finance, EMP, LUMS)
3. Dr Harald Lohre (Head of Quant Equity Research, Robeco)

Description of the project:

Modern society challenges the classical risk-return portfolio optimization framework with demands for environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) aspects. The purpose of this project is to advance a systematic framework to sustainable investing that incorporates sustainability throughout the investment process and meets contemporary investment needs: (1) forecasting financial returns, (2) assessing and quantifying risks, and (3) developing and optimising investment portfolios with sustainability at their core. To this end, the PhD Student can draw from the corresponding deep resources of Robeco, a leader in quantitative and sustainable investing, to investigate forward-looking approaches to managing investment opportunities and risks associated with sustainability. The project will thus further the academic profession’s understanding of the underlying economic mechanism and provide guidance to the investment management industry for efficiently navigating sustainable investing. The PhD Candidate will enjoy the unique opportunity to pursue a first-class formal finance education while keeping close ties to the investment management industry. In particular, the PhD Student will get comprehensive insight into the Robeco Quantitative Investments Team with more than 40 investment professionals managing EUR 80bn as per September 2024.

Application details:

The successful candidate will automatically be enrolled into the department’s 4-year PhD programme in Accounting and Finance. The admission criteria include:

• A Master’s degree in one of the following fields: Finance or Economics (with a substantial quantitative component), Mathematics, Statistics or a related quantitative/econometric subject area
• A performance at distinction level at Master’s degree, typically averaging above 70% overall
• A suitable dissertation/research element of the MSc degree is a plus
• Proof of English language knowledge (where required) at the minimum level of IELTS at 7.0
• A GMAT score may be required in some cases

How to apply:

Please send your CV (including BSc and MSc transcripts) and a motivation letter directly to Professor Ingmar Nolte (i.nolte@lancaster.ac.uk), Professor Olga Kolokolova (o.kolokolova@lancaster.ac.uk) and Dr Harald Lohre (h.lohre@robeco.com); and apply formally to the department’s PhD programme.

Closing deadline for applications 30 January 2025.