Population-based studies show 40-45% of UK adults report musculoskeletal pain that has lasted longer than three months, and is referred to as 'chronic pain'. While many people with chronic pain are able to function with minimal disruption to their lives, for an estimated 25% of those with chronic pain, it has far-reaching negative impacts on core life domains, causing widespread disability and distress, social exclusion and leading to high healthcare needs. This pain has been labelled as 'severe', 'treatment resistant', 'disabling', but more recently the term High Impact Chronic Pain (HICP) has been adopted by Versus Arthritis, informed by the United States National Pain Strategy for Population Research.
Current limitations in evidence from large, long-term population-based cohort studies prevent us from optimising prevention and treatment for people with HICP. We have been funded by the Medical Research Council and Versus Arthritis as part of the Advanced Pain Discovery Programme (APDP) to undertake a unique programme of interdisciplinary translational research, using state-of-the-art statistical and machine learning methods, to investigate factors that put people at risk of developing high impact chronic pain (HICP), factors that maintain that state, and those that enable people to recover from or successfully manage their pain. As part of this programme, the Epidemiology group team at the University of Aberdeen will lead on work to identify targets for public health approaches to prevention of onset or persistence. Specifically we will analyse data from UK Biobank to determine the targets for such interventions, quantify their potential benefit. Working with patient partners, we will identify how such benefits could be delivered either through existing or new programmes.
The work will involve both quantitative and qualitative methods and if applicants have a background in only one of these, they would be expected to develop skills in the other.
Candidates should contact the lead supervisor (Professor Gary J Macfarlane) to discuss the project in advance of submitting an application, as supervisors will be expected to provide a letter of support for suitable applicants. Candidates will be informed after the application deadline if they have been shortlisted for interview.
----------------------------------------------
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
International applicants are eligible to apply for this studentship but will have to find additional funding to cover the difference between overseas and home fees (approximately £17,000 per annum)
- Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php
- You should apply for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Health Sciences to ensure your application is passed to the correct team
- Please clearly note the name of the supervisor and exact project title on the application form. If you do not mention the project title and the supervisor on your application it will not be considered for the studentship.
- Candidates should have (or expect to achieve) a minimum of a First Class Honours degree in a relevant subject. Applicants with a minimum of a 2:1 Honours degree may be considered provided they have a Distinction at Masters level.
- General application enquiries can be made to [Email Address Removed]