PhD Studentship: Optimising outcomes and experience for patients with a brain injury following cardiac arrest

Summary:

We are delighted to invite applications for a fully-funded PhD (fees + stipend) to begin March 2026, which will explore opportunities to optimise the outcomes and experiences for patients that sustain a brain injury following cardiac arrest. The successful applicant will join the Emergency, Prehospital, Perioperative and Critical Care research group based at Warwick Clinical Trials Unit (https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/research/ctu/themes/eppic/).

Project description:

Each year in the UK, around 40,000 adults have a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital. Paramedics are able to restart the heart in about 30% patients, but about two-thirds of these initial survivors will die before hospital discharge. The most common cause of death in these patients is a hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury sustained during the cardiac arrest. Even in patients that do survive to leave hospital, many will experience ongoing neurological sequalae. A key issue for both family members and clinicians during the intensive care unit stay is prognostic uncertainty regarding the likely clinical outcome, and aligning this with the patient’s known individual goals and preferences. The planned mixed-methods PhD will incorporate a scoping review, a data linkage study, and qualitative work with clinicians and patients.

The candidate:

For this mixed-methods PhD, we are looking for someone that can lead and deliver this exciting programme of research. You will join our team of methodologists, clinical academics, and PhD students at the University of Warwick with a strong track record in world-leading cardiac arrest research. You are required to have an upper-second class honours degree with experience in research, whether through your dissertation or equivalent experience.

This award, funded by University of Warwick, provides annual funding to cover UK tuition fees, a tax-free stipend and a one-off research training grant of up to £5,000. The funding is provided as contribution to the Midlands Mental Health and Neuroscience PhD Programme for Healthcare Professionals.

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit for 3 years of full-time study to commence on 5 October 2026.

Please visit our website for further information on how to apply, details can be found via the 'Apply' button above.

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