Postgraduate research opportunities Evaluation and adaptation of a digital self-management tool for people with chronic pain
ApplyKey facts
- Opens: Friday 6 December 2024
- Deadline: Wednesday 18 December 2024
- Number of places: 1
- Duration: 3 years
- Funding: Home fee, Stipend
Overview
This PhD studentship will build on a platform of work which is currently being carried out, which is focussed on developing a digital self-management tool to help people with chronic pain manage their symptoms. The focus of this PhD studentship will be to evaluate this digital solution and adapt it for underserved populations. The successful candidate must be able to commence study on 1 April 2025.Eligibility
You'll be expected to have 1 or 2:1 UK Honours degree (although a 2:2 would be considered if you have additional experience), or overseas equivalent, in a relevant discipline from a recognised academic institution Ideally your degree will be in Health Sciences, Digital Health, Computer Science, Psychology, or related disciplines.
You should be highly motivated to undertake cutting edge research in this field and to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders. This will include people with chronic pain and their families/friends, experts from the NHS/health care workers supporting people with chronic pain.
Project Details
Currently, one in five people in Scotland live with debilitating pain every day of their life which can have a severe, negative impact on their Quality of Life (QoL). Accessing the right care at the right time to manage their symptoms can be difficult for people with Chronic Pain given the lack of signposting and personalised information. Within the context of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increased need for remote, digital solutions that can help people self-manage their condition and accompanying symptoms at home. Interventions which focus on implementing lifestyle changes in e.g. physical activity, nutrition, and mental well-being are especially helpful in managing and treating chronic pain symptoms. This PhD in Physical Activity and Health and Computer & Information Sciences will build on previous work by evaluating a digital solution and adapting it for underserved populations.
This PhD opportunity is part of a cohort of PhD studentships funded through the David Stirling Health Fund to create a new Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in the field of chronic pain.
Funding details
The studentship is fully funded and covers Home Fees and provides a stipend in line with UKRI guidance to cover your living expenses. Stipend for 2024/25 academic year is £1,603 per calendar month (tax free).
Please note that the studentship covers Home/UK fees only. While non-UK applicants can apply, you need to specify in your documentation how you will fund the difference between the home UK and international fee rates.
Home Students
To be eligible for a fully funded UK home studentship you must:
- Be a UK national or UK/EU dual national or non-UK national with settled status / pre-settled status / indefinite leave to remain / indefinite leave to enter / discretionary leave / EU migrant worker in the UK or non-UK national with a claim for asylum or the family member of such a person, and
- Have ordinary residence in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or British Overseas Territory, at the Point of Application, and
- Have three years residency in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, British Overseas Territory or EEA before the relevant date of application unless residency outside of the UK/ EEA has been of a temporary nature only and of a period less than six years
The successful candidate must be able to commence study on 1 April 2025.
While there is no funding in place for opportunities marked "unfunded", there are lots of different options to help you fund postgraduate research. Visit funding your postgraduate research for links to government grants, research councils funding and more, that could be available.
Supervisors
Primary Supervisor: Dr Fiona Muirhead
Additional Supervisors: Professor Roma Maguire
Dr Alex Mavroeidi (external supervisor, Glasgow Caledonian University)
Apply
If you are suitably qualified, go to “apply now” under Physical Activity for Health and select “start: 1 April 2025”
Only complete applications will be considered. Your complete application should include:
- 800 – 1,000 words maximum cover letter (2 pages) detailing your interest and describing your suitability for, and why you are interested in this research project
- CV (2 pages)
- All academic transcripts and degree certificates to date
- 2 x reference letters of which at least one must be academic – regarding your suitability for this research project
- If applicable, IELTS Certificate (minimum overall band score of 6.5, with no individual test score less than 5.5) or equivalent gained within 2 years prior to start date.
Please note that the University will be closed for the Christmas and New Year Holiday from 20 December 2024 until 3 January 2025 and re-opens on 6 January 2025.
If you are shortlisted for interview you will be notified shortly after closing date, with interviews to be held week commencing 20 January 2025.
Number of places: 1
To read how we process personal data, applicants can review our 'Privacy Notice for Student Applicants and Potential Applicants' on our Privacy notices' web page.
Physical Activity and Health
Programme: Physical Activity and Health
Contact us
Project enquiries: fiona.muirhead@strath.ac.uk
Application enquiries: hass-pgr-scholarships@strath.ac.uk