This project will investigate risk and protective factors associated with cannabis use in youth using two existing Irish data sets. The project is for four years starting in October 2022. It includes an annual student stipend of €18,000 along with PhD fees. There are additional allowances for training, travel and conference costs.
This project will examine what factors increase the chances of a young person beginning to use cannabis as a teenager. It will also examine what factors influence a young person not to use cannabis. Finally, it will examine the consequences in young adulthood of cannabis use in adolescence. Risk and protective factors for cannabis use and the long term consequences of early cannabis use will be investigated using a) the Growing Up in Ireland study of 8,000 young people, who were studied longitudinally from age 9 to age 20 and b) the Planet Youth study, a large survey of young people aged 15 from schools in the East and North East of Ireland.
A unique aspect of this research project will be a ‘Patient Public Involvement’ (PPI) Advisory Panel. It will be made up of youth community leaders, young people with lived experience of cannabis use, as well as services working to improve young people’s health and mental health. This PPI Panel will work with the research team to ensure youth-friendly research design, participant engagement, thematic analysis and dissemination.
This PhD position will suit anyone with an interest in epidemiological research who wants to make a difference to the lives of young people. The robust evidence base that this programme of research will produce will inform Irish youth health and mental health policy, as well as prevention and early intervention programmes to effectively address the harms of cannabis use to young people’s health and mental health.
We welcome applications from individuals with lived experience and those from diverse backgrounds.
Requirements:
- Upper Second Class (2.1) honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject
- Strong written and oral communication skills and a high level of competence in the English language
- Statistics data analysis experience and skills
- Willingness to work with PPI (public and patient involvement in research)
- Background in a health profession, such as psychology or social sciences
- Experience working with young people
- Research experience or training. In particular experience in epidemiological research using large data sets
How do I apply?
To apply, please access the following link and complete the application form in full: https://forms.office.com/r/qrLm6ySUyF
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