Health Economics/Health Economics Modelling in Older People with Frailty with the Health Economics, Evaluation and Equality Theme (HEEE) of the ARC YH at University of Sheffield

The School of Health Related Research, at the University of Sheffield is pleased to advertise a funded PhD opportunity. The studentship is part of a research programme for the NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (NIHR ARCs). The studentship would be within the Health Economics, Evaluation and Equality (HEEE) cross-cutting theme of the Yorkshire and Humber ARC and will focus on health economics in older people with frailty.

The Yorkshire & Humber NIHR ARC is a collaboration between NHS, social care, third sector and industry organisations and leading universities in Yorkshire and the Humber. It aims to transform services and improve peoples’ health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities through four strategically important core themes:

• Early life and Prevention
• Older people with Frailty
• Mental and Physical Multimorbidity
• Urgent and Emergency Care 

The HEEE theme aims to work collaboratively with the four core themes and in partnership with local NHS, public health and social care collaborators. This research will focus on improving efficiency and equity in the use of public resources using methods for conducting cross-sector evaluations including mathematical modelling, statistical and econometric methods. The HEEE theme are offering a PhD opportunity within the area of older people with frailty and strongly encourage candidates to propose topics in the following areas, but is also happy to look at health economics proposals more broadly in the area of older people and frailty:

• Develop a system level approach to model the economic arguments of implementing interventions to prevent/improve frailty and delayed transfers of care (DTOC) for older people with complex and heterogeneous needs. The theme will look to simulate the reality of supply side availability and constraints as well as using conventional economic theory to understand the economic incentives and outcomes for patients and stakeholders such as the NHS and Social Services.
• Exploring the use of health and care services in elderly population and forecasting on demand and exploring equitably distribution of services.
• Exploring the relationship between the EQ-5D, independence and frailty over time and identifying related resource use and optimal opportunities for intervention. 

Entry Requirements:

Candidates must:

• be highly motivated to make a significant scientific contribution in health and social care through research that can inform well-evidenced, cost-effective health strategies
• have completed an undergraduate degree (equivalent to 2.1 or above) in a relevant discipline (e.g. mathematics, statistics, epidemiology, economics, operational research, systems engineering, management science, physics, systems control, pharmacy).
• have completed a master’s degree at merit or distinction (or a non-UK equivalent) in a relevant subject, or more than one year of formal employment in a relevant scientific environment
• have excellent verbal and written communication skills

How to apply:

Please complete a University Postgraduate Research Application form available via the ‘Apply‘ button above.

Please clearly state the title of the studentship, the main supervisor (Tracey Young) and select ScHARR as the department.

You will also need to include:

• a draft outline of your proposed PhD study, in line with the research themes described above, of approximately 500 words
• a covering letter explaining why you wish to apply for this studentship.
• a copy of your CV. 

The award will cover academic fees at the UK rate plus a maintenance stipend for 3 years (stipend £18,622 p.a.2023/24).