Improving patient outcomes in stroke

Applications are invited for a prestigious Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarship, within the Medway School of Pharmacy, University of Kent, starting in October 2017. The studentship which is administered under the Graduate Teaching Assistant Scheme (GTA) offers a combined salary and maintenance tax-free bursary equivalent to a full UK Research Council rate of £14,553 per annum for 2017/2018, plus tuition fees at the home rate for 3 years. There is no provision for overseas students.

The University of Kent provides excellent opportunities for research student training. All students benefit from a full programme of training in research and transferable skills organised through the Graduate School.

The University of Kent was ranked 17th out of all UK Higher Education Institutions for research intensity in the REF 2014. It was shortlisted for the University of THE Year Awards, 2015 and for the Time Higher Education Awards for providing “outstanding support for students”. With seven locations across Europe, the University of Kent is described as “The UK’s European university”.
As a Stonewall Diversity Champion the University of Kent is committed to equality and valuing diversity. The University also holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award.

Project Summary:
Stroke is the fourth single leading cause of death in the United Kingdom. There are a number of manageable risk factors for stroke including high blood pressure, raised cholesterol and atrial fibrillation (AF). Untreated AF is associated with a 5-fold increased risk of stroke; as AF is often asymptomatic stroke may be the first symptom patients present with. Therefore, early detection of AF and initiation of anticoagulant treatment can significantly reduce the risk of stroke. However, the general public are not routinely screened for this condition.

More people are surviving stroke than ever before. 85% of stroke patients in England, Wales and Northern Ireland survive their stay in hospital, and two thirds of stroke survivors return home or have supported discharge in their community when they leave hospital. Taking medicines for secondary prevention reduces the risk of subsequent strokes significantly. However, adherence to medicines for secondary prevention of stroke (anti-hypertensives, anti-platelets, statins) drops to about 50% only six months after an acute event, thus significantly increasing the chance of a further stroke.

This project builds on research ongoing within the School to explore how pharmacists can contribute to improve patient outcomes in Stroke. The project will provide training in health services research and will involve both qualitative and quantitative approaches.

How to Apply:
Successful candidates are expected to hold, or about to obtain, a minimum upper-second (2i) honours degree in the life or social sciences or related areas, ideally at Masters level. Candidates should be highly motivated and enthusiastic about research and competent with quantitative and qualitative research methods.
As a graduate teaching assistant the candidate must be willing to undertake some teaching duties as part of their GTA contract with the University.

Please send a cover letter explaining why you would like to apply for this studentship and your current CV (which should include your contact information i.e. name, address, e-mail address and telephone number and e-mail addresses for two academic referees) to [Email Address Removed] before 5pm on 16th June 2017.

Candidates should be available to attend an interview at Medway School of Pharmacy in June 2017 (dates to be confirmed).