About the Project
The Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, is pleased to offer a funded PhD scholarship for an outstanding student wishing to undertake full time doctoral research. Scientists from nine UK universities, led by Professor David Coggon at the University of Southampton, have been awarded £1.4 million by Arthritis Research UK and the Medical Research Council (MRC) to establish a major new national Centre for Musculoskeletal Health and Work. The Centre will undertake studies aimed at minimising adverse impacts of musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace, to advance knowledge in this increasingly important field of research and to drive the translation of knowledge into policy and practice, nationally and globally. It will also deliver training for a new generation of researchers, and provide a national focus of expertise for interacting with Government, employers, trades unions, patients and the public.
Lancaster University’s input into the Centre will focus on translating knowledge into employment practice to reduce health-related incapacity for work. Using interdisciplinary approaches, we shall study communication between employers and general practitioners and identify new tools for information transfer to enhance the efficacy of communication. The interface between employers and general practitioners is pivotal for ensuring informed decision-making to enable successful, individually-tailored outcomes for people whose health status impacts on their capacity for work productivity. We shall explore these issues in the context not only of long term musculoskeletal conditions, but also mental health conditions, and will involve employers and general practices across the North West of England.
This studentship is suitable for an academically-gifted, ambitious postgraduate from a relevant academic discipline (e.g. sociology, organizational health and wellbeing) or health profession who is seeking to develop their knowledge and research skills within this increasingly important field. The studentship will be based in the Faculty of Health and Medicine at Lancaster University, which is rated within the top 10 UK universities. The student will be supervised by Dr Paula Holland and Professor John Goodacre.
Awards will be made for a maximum of three years full-time study. Funding covers a generous annual stipend, a research training/fieldwork grant, and UK/EU PhD fees.
Applications, including a full CV, must be submitted via the electronic applications portal (http://www.Postgraduate.lancs.ac.uk/Applying/Pages/applying.aspx). Your CV should indicate your educational achievements, indicating the class of degree award achieved. Competition for bursaries is extremely strong; applications will only be considered from those who have achieved 2:1 or above from a recognised University in their bachelors’ degree. Applicants with a Masters qualification should have achieved a Merit or Distinction. Your CV should also include employment details, methodological training/knowledge, research experience and any publications. Students whose first language is not English will only be considered if they have achieved an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or above, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each of the core components.
The deadline for full applications is Monday 19th October 2015 at 5.00 p.m. Applicants shortlisted for interview will be required to attend an interview in person (or by SKYPE/telephone for applicants outside of the UK). The interviews are likely to take place on Monday 2nd November 2015. The successful applicant will commence their studies by January 2016.
If you have any questions about the studentship please contact Professor John Goodacre [Email Address Removed] or Dr Paula Holland [Email Address Removed].