PhD Studentship: The Tim Bacon Foundation PhD - Understanding Prehabilitation Acceptability and Engagement Among People Living with Cancer in the North West

We are looking for a highly motivated doctoral student to join our research team based in central Manchester (UK) to contribute to important new studies investigating the benefits and acceptability of exercise prehabilitation that has been purposefully designed to support the fitness and wellbeing of people living with cancer.

This project has received funding from the Tim Bacon Foundation and covers both the tuition fees and stipend at typical UKRI rates. The appointed doctoral student will lead research to gather qualitative insights into patient experiences of prehabilitation. The new insights will be linked to existing quantitative measures of exercise tolerance to better understand the psychological and physiological lived experiences of patients during prehabilitation. By working closely with Prehab4Cancer and other clinical partners, the new evidence will be rapidly translated to improve local and national prehabilitation programmes that maximise patient engagement and outcomes.

Project aims and objectives

Aim: To investigate the psychological, physiological, and experiential impacts of exercise prehabilitation among people living with cancer, and to evaluate the acceptability and engagement factors that influence patient participation in prehabilitation programmes.

Objectives:

• Explore patient experiences and perceptions of exercise prehabilitation using qualitative interviews and focus groups
• Evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of prehabilitation from the patient perspective
• Integrate qualitative insights with quantitative measures of exercise tolerance and functional capacity
• Co-produce recommendations to enhance patient engagement and programme design 

Funding

Only Home students can apply. Tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the three-year award, which is £5,006 for the year 2025/26.

The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £20,780 for the academic year 2025/26.

Specific requirements of the candidate

We are seeking a highly motivated and compassionate individual with a strong academic foundation in allied health (e.g. physiotherapy), exercise sciences, or psychology, and a genuine interest in patient-centred research. 

Essential qualities:

• A bachelor or master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• Experience conducting qualitative research, such as interviews or focus groups, ideally within a health, clinical or community setting.

Core skills include:

• Familiarity with relevant research methodologies, data management and clinical exercise guidelines.
• Effective time management, with the ability to prioritise tasks and meet project milestones. 

How to apply

Interested applicants can contact Dr Jack Thomson (j.thomson@mmu.ac.uk) for an informal discussion, but applications are welcome even without prior discussion. 

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full time PhD in Sports & Exercise Science

Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form, and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal.

Applications closing date: 5 January 2026 

Expected start date: April 2026

Please quote the reference: SciEng-JM-2025-26-Understanding Prehabilitation Acceptability

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