COVID-19, Cardiovascular diseases and lived experiences in BAME healthcare workers - RS/20/16

PhD (via MPhil) Studentship - COVID-19, Cardiovascular diseases and lived experiences in BAME healthcare workers

This studentship will be located in the School of Medicine

Reference Number: RS/20/16

Applications are invited for a PhD (via MPhil) studentship into an exploration of how the COVID 19 pandemic affected BAME health care workers in the acute and social care sector in hospitals and social care settings. The studentship is tenable for up to 3 years full time ( subject to satisfactory progress). Both Home/EU and International applicants may apply and studentship fees of £4440 will be covered and an annual stipend of £15,235 per year (upto 3 years) ( subject to satisfactory progress).

It is expected that the successful applicant will commence on 1st February 2021.

Project Title:

COVID-19, Cardiovascular diseases and lived experiences in BAME healthcare workers

This project will investigate how the COVID 19 pandemic affected health care workers in the acute and social care sector in hospitals and social care settings. There is evidence that BAME communities are generally experiencing higher mortality and morbidity outcomes due to COVID and this is also reflected in the health and social workforce . It is currently not clear as to why the BAME population is more susceptible to COVID-19 and associated clincial conditions. Past work point to increased infection risks due to social inequalities, susceptibilities to underlying cardiometabolic conditions and human genetic profiles..

This project aims to explore the prevalence of the disease among the aforementioned population using data from clinical, community and social cares sites. A core aim is to understand the relationships between lived experiences of BAME staff, rate of infection, exposure patterns and work characteristics.

The research will also assess the lived experiences of BAME staff and how it has impacted ther level of workstress using both self report and physiological measures. This allows to delinate readings on cardiovascular reactivity such as daytime vs night time blood pressure and heart rate fluctuations.

COVID 19 is known to be particularly severe in patients with underlying cardiometabolic conditions such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Another core aim is therefore to analyse data d on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors which are thought to be higher in the BAME community.

COVID 19 enters cells via the ACE2 receptor located on the cell surface. ACE2 is part of the renin angiotensin system which has genetic variation in its components. The genetic variants in ACE2 would be explored in the BAME health care population.

Although the project proposal outlines broad aims to be achieved, it is expected that alongside the supervisors on the project, the successful candidate will substantially contribute to the direction of the proposed research.. Experience of working with mixed-methodsis essential and use of monitoring devices such as ambulatory Blood Pressure and heart rate would be an advantage. Further training in research methods will be provided.

Some laboratory skills such as DNA extraction and Polymerase Chain Reaction would be advantageous but not essential as there would be opportunities to develop these skills. The successful applicant will also be expected to write up research findings to be submitted for peer-reviewed publication and present experimental results at leading international conferences.

Further information

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact either Professor Gershan K Davis ([Email Address Removed] ) or Dr Alexander Montassem ([Email Address Removed] ) or Dr Michael Farrell ([Email Address Removed] ) to discuss this opportunity and the project before applying.

For the application form and full details go to: http://www.uclan.ac.uk/research/study/studentships.php .

Completed application forms along with a detailed proposal of no more than 1200 words, outlining the focus of your study, proposed methodology and expected outcomes should be returned to the Research Student Registry email [Email Address Removed] quoting the studentship reference number RS/20/16.


Closing Date: 30th November 2020
Proposed Interview Date: w/c 14th December 2020

CURRENT UCLAN RESEARCH STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS RESEARCH STUDENTSHIP