MSc by Research Evaluation of mobile phone app and online platform for self-management of breast cancer to improve quality of life, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour

Open to Home/EU Students only

Introduction

Applications are invited for an MSc by Research fees funded studentship post commencing 19th March 2018. The Studentship is open to home/EU students. It will run for 1 year and the fees of the MSc by Research programme will be paid by the Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research (ISPAR) at the University of Bedfordshire.

ISPAR delivers research spanning across sport science, physical activity, health, psychology, behaviour change, pedagogy and social sciences of sport. In the latest Research Excellent Framework assessment 95% of our research was rated as internationally recognised or better.

About the project

The Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research (ISPAR) and the Institute for Research in Applicable Computing (IRAC) at the University of Bedfordshire have partnered to deliver this exciting interdisciplinary research project. The project will undertake an evaluation of a mobile phone app and online platform developed by these two research institutes to promote the health and wellbeing of breast cancer patients. The app and online platform are designed to empower patients in their healthcare by encouraging them to self-manage their condition. The tools help to monitor health, medication reminders, medical appointments, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, pain, and fatigue, which are common problems in cancer patients. The app also delivers the patient tips and reminders for healthy behaviours and provides interactive visualisation of the patient’s data, which can be shared with medical professionals to inform clinical decisions.

The successful candidate will undertake a research project to evaluate the effects of these tools on quality of life, pain, fatigue, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour in breast cancer patients. The candidate will gain research experience in a clinical setting and will work within an interdisciplinary team on this exciting project. It is expected that the student will contribute to the study design, NHS ethical approval process, delivery and evaluation of the intervention, and author a journal publication to disseminate the findings.

Candidate requirements

The applicant will gain experience in the design, conduct and presentation of research relating to the project. Applicants will have a good first degree (minimum of 2:1) in a relevant discipline (e.g. physical activity, sport and exercise science, applied computing, biomedical science).

Supervisor:

The student will be under the supervision of:
- Dr Daniel Bailey Senior Lecturer in Health, Nutrition and Exercise; Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research
- Feng Dong Professor in Visual Computing; Institute for Research in Applicable Computing

Funding: ISPAR will pay the fees of £4,107; there are no bench fees associated with this project. The post will not include a bursary.

How to apply

For an application pack or any application queries please email [Email Address Removed] quoting the appropriate reference number. In addition to a CV all applicants will need to send a cover letter with supporting information on their experience and skills and how these relate to the advertised studentship.

It is expected that interviews will take place the week beginning 26th February 2018.

For informal discussions or non-application related queries, please contact Dr Daniel Bailey by email at [Email Address Removed].

Closing date: 19th February 2018