PhD (via MPhil) Studentship at University of Central Lancashire

This fully funded Doctoral Studentship, hosted at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast (ARC NWC), one of 15 regional ARCs. Our vision is to address the considerable health inequalities across our region through the collaborative production and implementation of high-quality applied health research in our five themes. Research supported by the ARC NWC must be relevant to the needs of the diverse communities served by ARC NWC and its local health and care system, and have potential to be generalisable nationally, as well as within the local health and care system where it is conducted.

The successful candidate will be hosted by the UCLan Applied Health Research Hub, one of the largest providers of health and care education and professional development in the North West, which seeks to develop high quality health and care research, implementation, and innovation to improve service and care delivery. Successful candidates will be supported by a dedicated supervisory team and have access to a broad range of expertise from colleagues within the Lancashire Clinical Trials Unit, the Health Technology Assessment Group, the Research Facilitation and Delivery Unit, and the Research Design and Statistical Support Team. They will also benefit from peer support through the ARC NWC Doctoral Fellow Network, consisting of 30 members, all of whom are undertaking NIHR funded doctoral research.

Project and Supervisory Team: There are five potential projects, with supervisory teams in place, to choose from. For more details about the available research topics, and supervisory teams, please see attached Appendix 1 document.

Potential applicants must:

• develop a 1000-word research proposal, and discuss this with the appropriate Director of Studies prior to application
• consult the HIAT https://forequity.uk/ and demonstrate consideration of the toolkit in their research proposal

Application process: Applications should be completed on our online application system, selecting the following options:

• Type of Study – Research Degree (Postgraduate)
• Course – Master of Philosophy/Doctor of Philosophy
• Campus – Preston Campus
• Mode of Study – Full Time
• Candidates must quote the application number RS/23/04, state the title of the project(s) for which they are applying, and attach a 1000-word research proposal

Requirements:

Applicants should:

• have (or expect to have been formally awarded by 29^th February 2024) at least a UK Bachelor honours degree at second class (upper division) level (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline
• Applicants must have completed and been awarded any current course of study by the proposed start date (before 18^th March 2024).
• Applicants require an English Language level of UKVI IELTS 6.5 (no sub-score less than 6.0) or acceptable UCLan equivalent qualification.

Due to funding restrictions, the studentship is open to Home (UK resident) applicants only, and only full-time study is supported. It is expected the successful applicant will commence on 18^th March 2024.