The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different models of community or care navigators in supporting older people with multiple long-term conditions

Lincoln Institute for Health and NIHR CLAHRC East Midlands - PhD Studentship

Applications are invited for a 3 year, full time studentship aligned to the work of NIHR CLAHRC East Midlands and the Lincoln Institute for Health at the University of Lincoln. A yearly stipend at current RCUK rates (£14,057) plus Home/EU tuition fees (£4,052) is available. The successful candidate will work into the CLAHRC’s Implementing Evidence and Improvements theme.

CLAHRC East Midlands is an international centre of excellence in applied health research. The CLAHRC seeks to improve patient outcomes by conducting research of local relevance and international quality. The Implementing Evidence and Improvements theme undertakes rigorous research to increase the knowledge base and to advance the theories and methods for translating and spreading evidence-based innovations into routine clinical practice.

This PhD will assess the effectiveness (and cost-effectiveness) of different models of community or care navigators in supporting older people with multiple long-term conditions. The successful candidate will need to be passionate about identifying best practice in older people’s services. The candidate will work alongside Lincoln’s Clinical Commissioning Groups, social and third sector care. The supervisory team will be Dr Karen Windle, Reader in Health (Lincoln), Dr Neil Chadborn, Research Fellow (CLAHRC) and Professor Chris Bridle (Director, Lincoln Institute for Health).

Informal enquiries about this studentship should be addressed to: [Email Address Removed] or [Email Address Removed].

Successful candidates will be based in the Lincoln Institute for Health at the University of Lincoln, but will be expected to visit research sites on a regular basis, and so should be able to travel freely. Funding is conditional on successful Disclosure and Barring Service clearance.

Applying for the Studentship
Candidates should have a 2.1 or higher Honours degree in a relevant discipline, have good knowledge of healthcare and an interest in healthcare improvement research. It is likely that the project will require both qualitative and quantitative research skills. The studentship is open to Home/EU candidates only due to funding restrictions, and will be available from September 2015 for three years.

To apply, applicants should send the following information to [Email Address Removed]:

1. A letter of interest / personal statement (up to 1000 words) indicating how your experience to date prepares you to undertake PhD level research.
2. A CV
3. A research proposal (up to 2000 words) detailing how you propose to carry out the research.

If you are a healthcare practitioner, and wish to combine academic study with your ongoing practice, you must have organisational support prior to submitting your application – demonstrated in the form of a letter on letter-headed paper which includes any financial contribution that might be offered from your employing organisation in order to meet the difference between your current salary and the studentship amount.

Please quote ref: IEI_Navigators2015 in all correspondence. Closing date: 23.59pm on 5th July 2015. Applications submitted after this time will not be considered.

Interviews will be held in Lincoln on Wednesday 22nd July 2015.