PhD Studentship in the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East of England Prevention and Early Detection in Health and Social Care theme
PhD studentship funded by the National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East of England
Location: One of the Universities in the NIHR ARC EoE
Funding for: UK Students, EU Students
Funding amount: £15,009 p.a. plus tuition fees
Hours: Full Time
The East of England (EoE) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) is a 5-year collaboration between Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) and the universities of Hertfordshire, Cambridge, East Anglia and Essex along with NHS trusts, transformation (STPs) partnerships, charities, industry and patient led organisations and partners across the region.
A fully funded PhD studentship from October 2020 for three years (full time study) is offered for an outstanding early stage researcher to conduct applied research relevant to prevention and early detection in health and social care. The studentship is an exciting career opportunity for an ambitious researcher who is keen to develop as a future leader in applied research.
- Applicants should have a 2.1 or higher Honours degree in a relevant discipline, a good knowledge of health or social care and an interest in applied research relevant to a specific aspect of prevention or early detection in health or social care.
- Applicants with a Masters degree are especially welcome to apply.
- Applicants must demonstrate how they will add value to NHS/health, social care or other provider organisations
Further Particulars
The studentship comes with a yearly tax-free stipend at current RCUK rates (£15,009) plus Home/EU tuition fees. When outlining proposed work candidates should explain how any additional research costs would be covered and by whom. The successful applicant will register at one of the four ARC partnership Universities (Cambridge, Hertfordshire, East Anglia and Essex). To promote cross institutional working, it is anticipated that the second supervisor (s) will be based in one of the partner Universities.
Suggested topic areas for PhD study and linked supervisors
PhD research questions and proposed programmes of work must align with the EoE NIHR ARC Prevention and Early Detection in Health and Social Care theme and ideally involve one or more of the ARC’s four ‘populations in focus’ (Great Yarmouth and Waveney, Peterborough and Fenland, Stevenage and Thurrock). These are communities where people experience inequalities of income and health and have, until now, had few opportunities to benefit from applied research to improve their access to services. Also of interest are proposals which cross-cut with other EoE ARC themes, such as mental health across the life course (details of ARC EoE themes available here).
Candidates with research ideas that fit with the aims of the Prevention and Early Detection in Health and Social Care theme will be prioritised:
- Identify and address ways to support different populations and potentially vulnerable groups to sustain their health and wellbeing
- Better understand how to help key groups to recognise, at the earliest opportunity, signs of illness /disease onset or deterioration in themselves and others and to take action
- Work with local communities and health/social care workforce to develop and evaluate strategies for early detection and referral to services based on research evidence
- Address the currently under-determined distinction between population screening, targeted screening, proactive and reactive early detection strategies
Key topics of interest for the theme include:
- Early detection of cancer:
- Primary and secondary prevention among disadvantaged groups:
- Preventing malnutrition and childhood obesity; the promotion of nutritious diets
How to apply
Applicants are encouraged to identify a possible principal supervisor from one of the four ARC EoE partner Universities and contact them directly to discuss their proposal
Please download the short Application Form, and submit with the following information:
- A personal statement (maximum 500 words) demonstrating how your experience to date prepares you to undertake PhD level research
- A research proposal (maximum of 1200 words) that explicitly addresses: the work you would carry out, detailing how it is linked to the ARC Prevention and Early Detection in Health and Social Care theme of the NIHR ARC (http://www.arc-eoe.nihr.ac.uk/); whether it cross-cuts with other ARC EoE themes; and how the research will add value to health/care/provider organisations in the region; details of any research costs and how these might be met
- Names and contact details of any proposed supervisors who have been identified
- A CV (2 pages maximum)
- Contact details of two referees
- Evidence of English Language proficiency (IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any element, or equivalent) if your first language is not English
Completed application forms and supporting information (as detailed above) should be sent to Jane Schultz, Senior Programme Support Officer NIHR ARC EoE jane.schultz@cpft.nhs.uk
Please direct general inquiries to Professor Wendy Wills w.j.wills@herts.ac.uk
Closing date: 23.59pm on 6th March 2020
Applications received after this time will not be considered. Applications not including any of the above information will not be shortlisted. The studentship will commence October 2020.
