Colleagues at the University of Glasgow are recruiting a PhD student to work on a funded research project (Exploring Alternative Finance for Impact-Driven Deep Tech Ventures).

This project investigates whether alternative and social models of finance (such as impact investing, venture philanthropy, and blended finance) can be adapted to support deep tech ventures in moving from lab to market. While such models are increasingly used in social innovation and community enterprise contexts, they remain underexplored in the deep tech space. In partnership with Considered Capital, a leading intermediary organisation in alternative finance, which supports and educates purpose-led founders to align funding with values, this PhD will conduct qualitative research across two stages: (1) a macro-level mapping of the current funding ecosystem, and (2) micro-level case studies and interviews with founders, funders, and intermediaries.

The studentship funded by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) via the Scottish Graduate School of Social Sciences (SGSSS) and the deadline for applications is 24 March 2026.

More details on the post can be found here: https://www.sgsss.ac.uk/studentship/exploring-alternative-finance/