Public service managers or trainers wishing to take a career break are being invited to apply for a funded PhD studentship in political leadership by the National School of Government and the University of Warwick.

The course, 'Developing National Political Leadership: Capabilities, Contexts and Challenge' will cover various kinds of relevant leadership development interventions and experiences. The successful candidate will be supervised by professor Jean Hartley at the Warwick Business School and will work closely with the ministerial programme team at the National School.

"The aim of the project is to critically analyse existing approaches to political leadership development and contribute to a wider understanding," said National School principal and chief executive, Robin Ryde. "In particular, we want to know more about leadership capability and how it is developed, the outcomes of interventions, and differences in development need according to parliamentary role," he said.

Applicants for the ESRC CASE studentship must have a upper second-class degree or better, and a relevant Masters degree or equivalent experience.

While the award is only available to UK and other EU nationals, it covers fees and an annual stipend of £14,900, plus a further £2,000 from the National School. The closing date for applications is Monday June 30, with interviews scheduled for Monday July 14 or Wednesday July 16 at the University of Warwick.