Fully funded PhD scholarships available in the Wellcome Doctoral Training Centre for Public Health Economics and Decision Science (PHEDS)

We are seeking bright and enthusiastic graduates who want to make a difference to population health and have a background in disciplines including the health, social, mathematical or computer sciences.

Chronic disease accounts for over 70% of deaths globally. Many of these are premature and can be prevented by coordinated and well-targeted public health interventions. To achieve this goal, we need better understanding of the complex interplay between influences on health at the societal, environmental and individual levels. Public Health Economics and Decision Science seeks to provide this understanding and identify the most effective and cost-effective prevention strategies that should be prioritised by decision-makers.

Generously funded by Wellcome and the University of Sheffield, this four-year cohort-based PhD Programme provides a unique interdisciplinary experience. It offers doctoral-level research training in public health, economics, statistics and mathematical modelling. From year one, you will have access to senior scientists and public health decision-makers and take a range of taught modules to complement your existing skills. Health and social sciences graduates will develop advanced quantitative analytical skills and those with quantitative degrees will receive training in public health. Rotations through several “research attachments” will provide wide-ranging experiences to help you finalise the topic of the PhD project you will complete during years two to four. You will also work collaboratively, arrange internships and develop networks with external organisations and decision-makers. After completing your PhD, you can apply for further funding to support your career aspirations from the programme’s transition fund.

This is the final opportunity to apply to join our programme as we will not be recruiting further cohorts.  Two studentships are available for home applicants.  We want to attract the best talent from all walks of life and will award at least one studentship to a UK applicant from a widening participation background. Two studentships can cover overseas fees for applicants from OECD-defined Low and Middle Income countries. Part-time study can be discussed where students have health or social needs that would make full-time study difficult.

Each studentship provides:

• Home rate tuition fees for four years
• Annual stipend at Wellcome rates
• A training, research cost and travel fund
• The opportunity to apply for postdoctoral transition funding

Eligibility

You will:

• Be motivated to make a significant scientific contribution to tackling the burden of chronic disease through well-evidenced, cost-effective public health strategies;
• Demonstrate your enthusiasm to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment;
• Have completed an undergraduate degree classified at equivalent to 2.1 or above (or non-UK equivalent);
• Meet one of the following three criteria:
  • (i) Hold a Bachelors degree (at least 2:1) and Masters degree,
  • (ii) Hold a Bachelors degree (at least 2:1) and have completed at least one year of work experience in scientific research or public health decision-making;
  • (iii) Hold a Bachelors degree (first class) and be completing a Masters degree in the current academic year;
• Have at least one of your completed degrees in a relevant subject, such as mathematics, statistics, epidemiology, public health, psychology, nutrition, quantitative sociology, politics, economics, systems engineering, business studies, computer science or geography;
• Have quantitative maths skills equivalent to A at A-Level.

This opportunity is open to home applicants only as applications for international applicants closed in December.  The closing date for home student applications is 28^th March 2024. 

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