Understanding rates of work disability in Northern Ireland

Co-supervisors:
Dr Declan French, QMS and Prof Duncan McVicar, QMS with third supervisor Dr Dermot O’Reilly, Centre for Public Health

Project Description:
In Northern Ireland (NI), we have the highest disability claimant rate in the UK and the reasons for this are poorly understood, although it has been variously attributed in policy circles to worse health, worse unemployment hidden as work disablement, the physical and mental health consequences of the recent 30-year civil war known locally as ‘the Troubles’, or to a claimant culture with greater understanding of how to navigate the benefit system from knowledge of entitlement, application, interview, inspection through to eventual successful receipt. Credible empirical evidence that can help us quantify the role of these and other factors, however, is currently lacking. Providing such evidence is the aim of this study.

This 3 year PhD studentship commences in 1 October 2016.

This exciting initiative straddles both economics and health and the successful PhD student will also be able to draw on the medical and epidemiological expertise of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Public Health at QUB as well as expertise in data linkage. It is envisaged that the student will participate fully in CoE activities alongside QUMS activities, including those involving other UK Centres of Excellence.

Academic Requirements:

This MRC-funded studentship will be awarded on a competitive basis to outstanding applicants who have:
• An excellent undergraduate degree (graded 2.1 or 1st) in a relevant subject;
• Completed, or are due to complete by September 2016, a Master’s degree in a relevant subject to an excellent standard (graded Merit or Distinction);
Candidates with a background in experience in labour economics, health economics or health policy will be preferred.

Contact details:
Interested candidates are encouraged to contact co-supervisors Dr Declan French, QMS ([Email Address Removed]) and Prof Duncan McVicar, QUMS ([Email Address Removed]) or third supervisor Dr Dermot O’Reilly, Centre for Public Health ([Email Address Removed] ) to discuss the project in more detail.

To Apply
The closing date for applications is March 11th 2016. To apply for this studentship (which covers student fees and a maintenance allowance) please go to the online postgraduate application portal below registering your application against Queen’s Management School and the supervisors above

https://dap.qub.ac.uk/portal/user/u_login.php

Contact Dr Declan French ([Email Address Removed]) if you have any difficulties.