Funding

Funded (UK/EU and international students)

Project code

SCCJ8880224

Department

School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Start dates

October 2024

Application deadline

9 February 2024

Applications are invited for a fully-funded, three-year, campus-based PhD to commence in October 2024. 

The PhD will be based in the Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and will be supervised by Dr Branislav Hock and Dr Moufida Sadok. 

The successful applicant will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£18,622 for 2023/24). Bursary recipients will also receive a £2,000 research allowance to cover conference/ training costs and consumables.

Costs for student visas and immigration health surcharges are not covered by this bursary. For further guidance and advice visit our international and EU students ‘Visa FAQs’ page.

The work on this project could involve:

  • Employ multidisciplinary and empirical research techniques to provide new insights into economic crime in war.
  • Benefit from the Cybercrime and Economic Crime Centre team’s wealth of knowledge and international networks while simultaneously showcasing cutting-edge research into economic crime.
  • Acquire enhanced doctoral programme training and be supported by experienced and motivated supervision team.
  • Have the opportunity to teach on modules in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (up to 6 hours per week during term time) and attain Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA).

Economic crime in the Russo-Ukrainian war illustrates the major impact of fraud, corruption, and sanction evasion on national security and global peace. Inflated pricing for military food suppliers or the embezzlement of aided weapons ending up in the hands of criminals exemplify large-scale issues in this area. Furthermore, it is well documented how Russian oligarchs and Russia’s state-owned companies have funded the war through the UK financial system by establishing their own private military companies.

The evidence of economic crime being an important issue in warfare has started a process of a major policy shift in economic crime policing from purely finance-driven to policing motivated by the protection of national security. The link between economic crime and national security, however, is largely unexplored, both at a theoretical level and at a practical level, especially when it comes to warfare. 

Exploring the intersection between economic crime and warfare, you will: collect empirical data on key economic crime schemes in war by conducting semi-structured interviews; review relevant literature; and identify what challenges policing authorities in the UK and Ukraine face in disrupting economic crime in war. 

Your PhD project will enhance the strong links established between University of Portsmouth and UK and Ukrainian policing authorities, by adding to a vibrant culture of societally relevant and impactful research. You would be expected to showcase your research at international conferences during your funding, as well contribute to high quality research outputs within the research team.

Entry requirements

You'll need a first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. You’ll need English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

Essential: Understanding of the Ukrainian language.

Desirable: experience of undertaking semi-structured interviews and/or research in the area of economic crime.

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Branislav Hock  (branislav.hock@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, you can use our online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency (if required) and an up-to-date CV. Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process. As this is a pre-defined project, you do not need to submit a research proposal at this stage.

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code SCCJ8880224 when applying. Please note that email applications are not accepted.