Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

The University of Manchester

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  Use of digital data to evaluate the benefits and harms associated with opioids for non-cancer pain

  Dr Meghna Jani, Prof W Dixon  Applications accepted all year round  Self-Funded PhD Students Only

About the Project

Over the last 15 years, an opioid crisis has gripped several countries accompanied by a parallel increase in opioid prescribing, opioid-related morbidity, and mortality. In the UK, 13% of the adult population (5.6 million people) had an opioid prescription dispensed for chronic non-cancer pain between 2017-18, according to Public Health England. Patients and clinicians face important challenges in attempting to balance benefits and harms of adequately managing chronic pain and development of adverse events, persistent opioid use and dependence. Electronic health records (EHRs) in hospitals and primary care contain a wealth of rich, routinely collected information that have the potential to drive improvements in patient care and research. Emerging patient generated data from mobile health and social media provide opportunities to capture the patient experience, including potential benefits and adverse events not routinely captured in EHRs. This PhD offers an opportunity to use these data to analyse a range of short and long-term outcomes, deemed important to patients and policy makers. The project has some flexibility and with the supervisors a specific project focussed on the applicant’s interests can be refined. This research will have potential to contribute to important public health and societal impact, enable safe prescribing by clinicians and most importantly improved patient outcomes.

 The candidate should have experience and/or have received some training in public health, epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology or statistics.

Eligibility 

Applicants must have obtained or be about to obtain a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, experience and/or have received some training in public health, epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology or statistics.

Before you Apply 

Applicants must make direct contact with preferred supervisors before applying. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to meet with potential supervisors, prior to submitting a formal online application.  

How to Apply 

For information on how to apply for this project, please visit the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Doctoral Academy website (https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/). Informal enquiries may be made directly to the primary supervisor. On the online application form select the appropriate subject title.

For international students, we also offer a unique 4 year PhD programme that gives you the opportunity to undertake an accredited Teaching Certificate whilst carrying out an independent research project across a range of biological, medical and health sciences.  

Your application form must be accompanied by a number of supporting documents by the advertised deadlines. Without all the required documents submitted at the time of application, your application will not be processed and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you have any queries regarding making an application please contact our admissions team [Email Address Removed]  

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion  

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full Equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on the website https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/equality-diversity-inclusion/  

Mathematics (25) Medicine (26)

Funding Notes

Applications are invited from self-funded students. This project has a Band 1 fee. Details of our different fee bands can be found on our website https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/fees/

References

1) Jani M, Yimer BB, Sheppard T, Lunt M, Dixon WG. Time trends and prescribing patterns of opioid drugs in UK primary care patients with non-cancer pain: a retrospective cohort study. PLOS Medicine. 2020. Oct 15;17(10):e1003270.
2) Jani M, Dixon WG. Are opioids just an American problem? BMJ 2018 Dec 6;359:j5514.
3) Costello R, Birlie B, Roads P, Jani M, Dixon WG. Glucocorticoid use is associated with an increased risk of hypertension. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2020; Rheumatology (Oxford). 2020 Jun 27:keaa209. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa209.
4) Langan SM, Schmidt SA, Wing K, Ehrenstein V, Dixon WG et al. The reporting of studies conducted using observational routinely collected health data statement for pharmacoepidemiology (RECORD-PE). BMJ. 2018 Nov 14;363:k3532.
5) Bourke A, Dixon WG et al. Incorporating patient generated health data into pharmacoepidemiological research. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2020 Dec;29(12):1540-1549. doi: 10.1002/pds.5169.

Where will I study?

Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Tackle real world challenges, make a difference, and elevate your career with postgraduate research in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at Manchester. From biochemistry to neuroscience, cancer sciences to medicine, audiology to mental health and everything in between, we offer a wide range of postgraduate research projects, programmes and funding which will allow you to immerse yourself in an area of research you’re passionate about.

Why study at Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health?

Ranked the best place to live in the UK (The Economist Global Liveability Index, 2022), Manchester boasts world-class culture, iconic sports, a thriving music and food scene, and much more. It's not just a place to research, it's a place to call home.

Experience PhD life as part of a diverse postgraduate research community of more than 1,000 postgraduate researchers at the 29th most international university in the world (Times Higher Education, 2023).

With 93% of research activity at the University rated as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' (Research Excellence Framework, 2021), you'll get the chance to have an impact on global health and science challenges.

1000+

postgraduate students

90

PhDs

6

ranked in UK - QS (2025)

Manchester  United Kingdom

main campus

About Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

At Manchester, postgraduate researchers are at the heart of our mission to tackle pressing global challenges in biological, medical and healthcare sciences - and you could be too.

By choosing Manchester for your postgraduate research, you’ll be joining a university with an exceptional research reputation, where 93% of research is world-leading or internationally excellent (REF, 2021) and where your work will have real-world impact.

You’ll research in world-class facilities alongside leading experts at the forefront of innovation, collaborating across disciplines to pioneer new treatments, advance scientific knowledge, and improve healthcare globally.

Supported by our dedicated Doctoral Academy and strong industry links, you'll experience PhD life in a vibrant, welcoming and diverse postgraduate research community.

And you’ll leave with the specialist knowledge, research experience and transferable skills that will shape your future in academia, research or industry.


Main campus

The University of Manchester

Manchester

North West

United Kingdom

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