Using micro-randomized trials to develop and test novel social network interventions to encourage physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in schools

*THIS IS A RE-ADVERTISED PROJECT* *INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD ON, WEDNESDAY 8 MARCH 2017*

Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs) are mHealth technologies that aim to deliver the right intervention components at the right times and locations to optimally support individuals’ health behaviours. Micro-randomized trials offer a way to optimise such interventions by enabling modelling of causal effects and time-varying effect moderation for individual intervention components within a JITAI. They are designed to investigate which components of an intervention are efficacious, when they are efficacious, or what psychosocial or contextual factors influenced their efficacy. JITAIs also enable investigation of dynamics of behaviour which other methodologies do not.

This PhD studentship will work within a multi-disciplinary supervisory team (computer science, network science, public health, education) to develop and test novel social network interventions for encouraging physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour in adolescents, addressing the following research questions:

• What are the most efficacious social network parameters and typologies, intervention components and theoretical mechanisms to determine the optimal design of a social network intervention to encourage physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in adolescents?

• Can micro-randomised trials help speed development time and/or increase efficacy of network-based interventions?

REQUIREMENTS

PLEASE NOTE: The project will involve Regulated Activity (working with children and/or vulnerable groups)

The successful applicant will be required to supply their details to the School Postgraduate Office in order for a criminal history check to be undertaken (Enhanced Disclosure Checks). The project will be conditional on the successful applicant being issued with a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure Certificate.

ACADEMIC

Candidates should have or expect to obtain a 2:1 or higher Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant biomedical or life sciences subject.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Candidates applying from countries where the first language is not English should produce evidence of their competence through a qualification such as IELTS or TOEFL score.

The minimum recommended score for the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science is:
• IELTS score of 6.0 with not less than 5.5 in each of the four component elements of listening, reading, speaking and writing taken within the last 2 years;
• TOEFL score of 80+ (internet basted test), taken within the last 2 years, with minimum component scores of; Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 17);
• A valid Certificate of Proficiency in English grade A or B;
• A valid Certificate of Advanced English grade A; or
• A first or upper second class honours degree from a university based in the UK, Republic of Ireland or other suitably quality assured location in a country deemed by the UK Border Agency to be majority English speaking.

For a list of English Language qualifications also accepted by the School and University please see the following link:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/Applying/English-language-requirements/

The English Language Unit (ELU) offers both pre-sessional and in-sessional courses in English for academic purposes and study skills. Courses vary in length and full information can be obtained from the ELU http://www.qub.ac.uk/tefl/