PhD Studentship: Kidney Disease and Haemodialysis: Understanding the Patient Experience to Improve Treatment

PhD Studentship in Applied Health Research

Project: Kidney disease and haemodialysis: Understanding the patient experience to improve treatment.

Supervisors: Dr Amelia Hollywood and Dr Sam Bizley (University of Reading). Dr Farhan Ahmad and Dr James Watchorn (Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust).

What is the project

This project would suit a candidate passionate about embedding the patient voice into healthcare and improving health outcomes. The focus of this research is people living with kidney disease. Kidney disease and treatment (haemodialysis) can affect people in many ways, physically and mentally. This project will focus on learning about patient experiences and exploring clinical data to improve the care of patients living with kidney disease.

What is involved

The aim of this research is to improve the treatment and outcomes of people living with kidney disease. The PhD candidate will speak to patients about their experiences of the condition and treatment they receive. Clinical outcomes will be monitored and predictors of success identified. The findings will be implemented in practice to improve patient care. This project will involve quantitative and qualitative research methods, with training provided to ensure high quality research outputs.

What we offer

This PhD will be based in the Health Services Research group at the University of Reading, which is a multi-disciplinary collaborative environment with an excellence for research, that will allow you to flourish as part of a large and vibrant community. You'll receive support from our Department and the Doctoral College, which is the University of Reading's hub for doctoral activity. The student will also hold an honorary post within the University Departments of Radiology and Nephrology at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. This PhD offers an exciting opportunity to gain real-world experience within a busy clinical and research active healthcare setting and positively affect the experience of patients.

Eligibility: 

• Applicants should hold or expect to gain a minimum of a 2:1 Bachelor Degree or equivalent in an applied health subject (e.g. pharmacy, psychology, nursing, physician associate studies or any subject related to health).
• Due to the nature of the funding this studentship is only open to UK/Republic of Ireland applicants.

Funding Details:  

• Starts October 2025.
• 3 year full-time award.
• Funding covers full UK tuition fees plus UKRI stipend (£20,780 for 2025/26).

How to apply:  

To apply click Apply for a Programme via the above ‘Apply’ button, create your account, and use the link sent by email to start the application process. Please select ‘PhD in Applied Health Research’. Please include a personal statement (max 200 words) with your application, to succinctly express why you are interested in the project and how your background is suitable.

1. Please quote the reference ‘DRC25-064’ in the ‘Scholarships applied for’ box which appears within the Funding Section of your on-line application. 
2. If the application system prompts you to submit a research proposal, please paste in the project title and move on to the next step in the application.

Application Deadline: 31 July 2025

Interview date: Around 3 weeks after closing date

Further Enquiries:  

For further details please contact Dr Amelia Hollywood a.hollywood@reading.ac.uk

Please note that, where a candidate is successful in being awarded funding, this will be confirmed via a formal studentship award letter; this will be provided separately from any Offer of Admission and will be subject to standard checks for eligibility and other criteria. 

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