SeNSS collaborative studentship competition
Now open for applications
Project title: The drivers of demand for intellectual property (IP) instruments in the UK
Primary supervisor: Prof.Suma Athreye
Institution details: Essex Business School, Department of Economics, University of Essex
Collaborative partner:UK Intellectual Property Office
SeNSS Pathway: Business and Management / Economics
Degreestructure: either a three-year PhD programme (+3), or a one year Masters degree followed by a three-year PhD programme (1+3)
Project background
The PhD scholarship will allow a fully funded PhD student to undertake ground-breaking research uncovering the drivers of demand for IP instruments such as patents, trademarks design rights and trade secrets, those who do and do not acquire IP rights and why, the extent to which trends in IP ownership have been driven by underlying changes in the economy such as the move to digital structures, and the interaction of different types of IP that may be combined into a bundle. New data sources – available due to past investments by the UKIPO –will allow us to shed more light on these old questions and in a way that is targeted to the UK, including in a post-Brexit environment. The scholarship will also provide the student with an important opportunity to develop his/her research working closely with UK Intellectual Property Office experts, with the potential of having access to relevant data and other similar organisations and stakeholders. The student will be empowered in their path to become an independent researcher by a supportive and experienced supervisory team.
Project aims and objectives
The PhD project comprises three aims, which can be addressed through three interrelated essays:
(i) To summarise the literature on the drivers of IP demand, and the tools to analyse them. It will outline the background of the theoretical and empirical bases for estimating demand for a bundle of IP instruments, contrasted to single instruments.
(ii) To analyse in depth the demand for IP instruments – potentially as a bundle - and use this to develop policy responses to any identified barriers to IP take-up where such take-up would be beneficial to innovativeness and growth.
(iii) Explore the dynamics through which demand for IP instruments evolves over time, to trace and explain the dynamics of holding patterns of IP, and different (perceived and reported) outcomes in terms of product market share.
Supervisors:Prof Suma Athreye, (Essex Business School University of Essex), Prof Katharine Rockett , Department of Economics, University of Essex) Rich Corken, (Deputy Director; Economics, Research and Evidence, UKIPO)
Training Opportunities
A comprehensive package of training will be agreed in consultation with the supervisors. Elements of training will be provided by the supervisors, University of Essex and by other providers and will provide the student with an important opportunity to grow competences and skills in quantitative analysis, applying them in the inter-disciplinary area of Economics and the management of intellectual property.
Studentship details
This studentship may be taken as either a 1+3 year award (a one-year master’s degree as appropriate followed by a three-year PhD), or a +3 award (a three-year PhD):
- It may be taken full-time or part-time; and,
- The studentship award covers your university fees, and provides you with a stipend of £15,285 per year. You will also be able to apply for small amounts of additional funding via the SeNSS Research Training Support Grant.
Residential eligibility
To be eligible for a full award you must be a Home or International student who satisfies the criteria below:
To be a home student, you 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.
If you do not meet any of the criteria above, you are classed as an international student.
Applicants: essential and/or desirable attributes/skills
A background in Strategic Management, Technology Management, Applied Economics or related disciplines and a willingness to engage with practice and policy are required for this project. Excellent communication skills and the flexibility to work both in a team and independently are also mainstays of this project.
How to apply for this studentship
You will need to make two separate applications; one for your place to study at the University of Essex, and one to SeNSS for this collaborative studentship.
- SeNSS studentship: Please read the SeNSS Collaborative Studentship Application Guidance Notes before completing the online application form.
- Application to the University of Essex: Please follow the advice on How to apply for a PhD for information on how to make your application.
Students who have studied Economics for their first degree can apply for a PhD in Economics. Students from other related backgrounds such as Law, Industrial Engineering, Management and Data Science backgrounds can apply for the PhD in Management, where you can build the training you require in a more customised way. As we work with the Economics Research and Evidence division of the UK IPO who expect a quantitative approach to the question of Drivers of IP demand, a willingness to acquire quantitative skills and to master the Economics and Management of Intellectual Property will be important.
Please note that, when you make your Essex application you do not need to submit a research proposal. Instead you are advised to submit your SeNSS Collaborative Studentship Application in place of the research proposal.
Deadline
The deadline for submitting your SeNSS Collaborative Studentship Application on HEIapply is 12:00 GMT on 28 February 2022.
No extensions to this deadline will be permitted.
Timeline for recruitment and selection
Following the application closing date on 12pm (midday) GMT on 28 February 2022, shortlisting will take place and shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview with at least one week’s notice.
Interviews are likely to take place during 21 – 23 March.
For further enquiries
For academic enquiries related to the studentship topic, Business and Management applicants should email Prof Suma Athreye (suma.athreye@essex.ac.uk) and Economics pathway students should email Prof. Katharine Rockett (kerock@essex.ac.uk).
For enquiries related to your eligibility for this studentship, and the application process, please email: pgresearch@essex.ac.uk