Systems level modelling in older people/urgent and emergency care with the Health Economics, evaluation and equality theme (HEEE) of the ARC YH

We are looking for exceptional students to apply for a funded PhD opportunity at the School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR). The studentship is part of a research programme for the NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (NIHR ARCs). The studentship would be within the Health Economics, Evaluation and Equality (HEEE) cross-cutting theme of the Yorkshire and Humber ARC and will focus on one of the core themes outlined below.  

The Yorkshire & Humber NIHR ARC is a collaboration between NHS, social care, third sector and industry organisations and leading universities in Yorkshire and the Humber. It aims to transform services and improve peoples’ health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities through four strategically important core themes:

∙ Early life and Prevention 

∙ Older people with Frailty 

∙ Mental and Physical Multimorbidity 

∙ Urgent and Emergency Care 

The HEEE theme aims to work collaboratively with the four core themes and in partnership with local NHS, public health and social care collaborators. This research will focus on improving efficiency and equity in the use of public resources using methods for conducting cross-sector evaluations including mathematical modelling, statistical and econometric methods. The HEEE theme are offering a PhD opportunity and strongly encourage candidates to propose topics in the following areas:

Older Peoples Theme

Develop a system level approach to model the economic arguments of implementing interventions to prevent/improve frailty and delayed transfers of care (DTOC) for older people with complex and heterogeneous needs. The theme will look to simulate the reality of supply side availability and constraints as well as using conventional economic theory to understand the economic incentives and outcomes for patients and stakeholders such as the NHS and Social Services.   

Urgent and Emergency Care Theme

Develop a systems modelling approach to identify and evaluate options for preventing excessive Emergency Departments waiting times. We are particularly interested in developing simulation approaches to examine system level interventions to reduce ED attendances and manage flows through a Department. For example, work may focus on the analysis of options to avoid unnecessary attendances or to avoid delays in transferring patients out of hospital, the design of performance metrics that avoid perverse incentives, or combinations of interventions. The successful applicant will have access to a large routine data set of the ED including arrivals, investigations and treatments in hospitals within the region to help inform the model.. 

Applicants are invited to provide a short proposal on their proposed topic area.

Entry Requirements:

Candidates must:

●       be highly motivated to make a significant scientific contribution in health and social care through research that can inform well-evidenced, cost-effective health strategies

●       have completed an undergraduate degree (equivalent to 2.1 or above) in a relevant discipline (e.g. mathematics, statistics, epidemiology, economics, operational research, systems engineering, management science, physics, systems control).

●       have completed a master’s degree at merit or distinction (or a non-UK equivalent) in a relevant subject, or more than one year of formal employment in a relevant scientific environment

●       have excellent verbal and written communication skills

●       meet English language requirements (international applicants).

How to apply:

Please complete a University Postgraduate Research Application form available here: www.shef.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply

Please clearly state the title of the studentship, the prospective main supervisor and select ScHARR as the department. 

You will also need to include:

·        a draft outline of your proposed PhD study, in line with the research themes described above, of approximately 500 words

·        a covering letter explaining why you wish to apply for this studentship.

·        a copy of your CV.