Early adulthood (here defined as ages 16-30, to cover transitions from school into employment) is a crucial period of development when individuals establish their social position, social networks, as well as adult lifestyles and health habits. Starting employment often brings changes in social environment and lifestyle, which will influence determinants of physical and mental health, including sleep and exercise patterns. Young adults are known to experience a high rate of “low quality work” which can mean low pay, lack of job satisfaction, and poor job security, which may constrain healthy lifestyles and is linked to negative health outcomes. However, establishing healthy habits during this period could have long-term consequences for health, while in the shorter-term, could help people find and maintain good quality employment that helps them establish their long-term career potential.
Meanwhile, there is considerable concern in policy circles about the number of young adults not working due to ill health. The number of young people aged 16-24 not in education, employment or training has continued rising since the Covid-19 pandemic, and is now 12.2% of all young people. As explained by Paul Gregg, chair of the new Labour Market Advisory Board: “Those kind of ages are the ages where you start gaining the skills and experience which allow you to gain higher earnings. So these people, even if we’re getting them back [into the labour market], are having really long serious damage done to their earnings potential.”
This PhD project aims to improve our understanding of young adults’ experiences of employment and the relationships between health and employment over time. The research will describe the different employment trajectories followed by young adults, based on quantity, quality and type of employment. The student will investigate factors (such as social background and health) which influence the trajectory followed, as well as the links between different employment experiences and short and long-term health and employment outcomes.
The project will use the latest data from The UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS), the largest dataset of its kind in the UK, enabling us to follow 5000 young adults aged 16-30y. This dataset provides information covering job characteristics, health behaviours, and self-reported health over time. New biomedical data, to be released in early 2027, will allow analysis of health outcomes, while linked participant data will allow analysis of employment outcomes.
Close collaboration between the student, academic supervisors and the Department for Work and Pensions / Department of Health and Social Care Joint Work and Health Unit will ensure that findings are relevant, useful, and communicated appropriately for use in policy recommendations and policy making. Dissemination of findings through academic conferences, preprints and publications will enable early sharing of findings within the academic community.
How to apply:
- Details on how to apply can be found in here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/a-z-research/mohn-centre-child-health/work-with-us-/phd-employment-trajectories/#d.en.1602411
- Applicants should also complete the online LISS-DTP Diversity Monitoring Form
- The closing date for applications is 17 February 2025
- Interviews will be held on 12 March 2025
- This project is offered as full-time or part-time
- For any queries contact e.winpenny@imperial.ac.uk