PhD Studentship: Diagnosis of Menopause Related Musculoskeletal Pain in the UK

The School of Social Policy and Society is offering funding for doctoral research. The studentship will explore the diagnosis of menopause related musculoskeletal (MSK) pain in the UK.

The student will be supervised by academics from the Centre for Evidence and Implementation Science (CEIS), (Professor Amy Grove) and Applied Health Sciences (A/Prof Sarah Hillman) University of Birmingham.

CEIS are a multi-disciplinary team at the forefront of methodological innovation and policy and practice change. The Centre encompasses: 1) A Technology Appraisal Review team 2) an Evidence Synthesis Group 3) an Evidence Based Surgery Unit and 4) a policy and methods group. The successful applicant will benefit from opportunities for professional and personal development through established collaborations across the Colleges of Social Science and Medicine and Health.

We anticipate that the studentship will involve the following components:

• Evidence synthesis to review the most commonly reported MSK symptoms during the menopause and the measurement tools used to assess them.
• Including a review of economic evidence relevant to menopause related MSK pain management focusing on costs, resource use, and cost-effectiveness.
• Qualitative Study to determine healthcare professionals’ perspectives in diagnosing menopause related MSK pain.
• Consensus workshop to develop a preliminary diagnostic criterion.
• Building an explanatory costing model.

For informal enquiries, please contact Prof Amy Grove: a.l.grove@bham.ac.uk

How to Apply for the PhD studentship

Applications must be made through the University of Birmingham Postgraduate Application portal. Your scholarship application will not be considered if you do not apply for admission. To apply for admission, please visit the following link, selecting PhD in Health Services Management (Full Time only): sits.bham.ac.uk/lpages/COS027.htm (via the above ‘Apply’ button). Once you have applied, please email Esraa Elkhodary (e.elkhodary@bham.ac.uk) with your details and application number.

Your application should include:

• A personal statement / cover letter explaining why you are a suitable candidate and what you would bring to the PhD (2 pages maximum)
• A short (2 page maximum) research protocol to address the proposed research outline.
• A CV
• Two academic references
• Transcripts (previous qualifications)

Please mention that you are applying for CEIS, MSK PhD studentship within your application. Full information about applying for a PhD at the University of Birmingham can be found at Apply for an advertised PhD - University of Birmingham. The deadline for applications is 10th November 2025

Funding notes:

The studentship is offered as a 3-year award (commencing January 2026 on a full-time basis. UK only applicants.

Applicants are expected to have a strong first degree (2:1) in a relevant applied health sciences/social science discipline, including demonstrable experience in applied health services research, health economics and qualitative research methods. Masters degree in a relevant discipline with research methods training (or equivalent professional training) is required.

The studentship covers:

• Full tuition fees at the Home rate (currently £5,006 per year)
• An annual maintenance grant for 3 years (currently £20780 per year).

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