Ph.D. Studentship to Increase Engagement in Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD

College of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Brunel University London are providing a PhD studentship with full funding and a training budget of £2,951 to develop skills required to undertake the project. This studentship will offer a basic salary in line with the UKRI stipend of approx. £20,662, Home/EU tuition fees, for a maximum of 36 months. The preferred start date is 02/01/2025.

Overview
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), an exercise and education programme for people with a lung disease, called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), improves breathlessness. However, referral and uptake rates are low. Increasing the number of people receiving PR is an urgent research priority.

Very Brief Advice (VBA) is an evidence-based behavioural change approach that increases referral to smoking cessation services and uptake of smoking cessation. As referral and uptake are behavioural issues, adapting VBA, a behavioural change approach, to enable healthcare workers discuss PR with patients may be a plausible way to increase referral and uptake rates.

The PhD will involve co-design and investigation of the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a full-scale cluster-randomised controlled trial of VBA, for healthcare professionals to assist conversations on PR. The doctoral researcher will undertake both qualitative and quantitative research, including focus groups, co-design workshops, and mixed-method feasibility cohort study. With the support of Dr Nolan, they will lead on patient and public involvement activities.

The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr Claire Nolan (Dr Claire Nolan | Introduction | Brunel University London) and Prof Cherry Kilbride (Professor Cherry Kilbride | Introduction | Brunel University London), with developmental support provided by Dr Emma Norris (Dr Emma Norris | Introduction | Brunel University London).

For informal discussions about this studentship, please contact Dr Claire Nolan (claire.nolan@brunel.ac.uk).

Eligibility
Candidates should have an undergraduate degree (first or upper second class) or equivalent qualification in a health science subject, behavioural science or psychology. A Master's qualification in an area relevant to the proposed project, experience working in the NHS or healthcare environment, and undertaking research with people living with lung disease would be desirable. Applicants who have not been awarded a degree by a University in the UK will be expected to demonstrate English language skills to IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6.0 in any section).

How to Apply
If you wish to apply, please e-mail the following to chmls-pgr-officestaff@brunel.ac.uk by Sunday, 14 April 2024.

• An up-to-date CV.
• A single-page A4 single-spaced personal statement stating why you are a suitable candidate (i.e. outlining your qualifications and skills).
• One example of your academic writing (e.g. an essay, a section from an undergraduate or a Masters dissertation).
• A summary of your teaching experience or the teaching activities you feel you could support.
• Names and contact details for two academic referees.
• A copy of your highest degree certificate and transcript.
• A copy of your English language qualification, where applicable.

Short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview. Applicants chosen for interview will be instructed to submit a formal online application via Admissions. Interviews will follow shortly after the application deadline.

For further information about how to apply, please contact the College of Health and Life Sciences Postgraduate Research Student Office on chmls-pgr-officestaff@brunel.ac.uk.

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