PhD Studentship: Embedding Implementation Science within Horizon Scanning to Enable Adoption-Ready Technologies

Award summary

100% of home tuition fees and annual stipend at UKRI rates (2026–27). This studentship is open to home fee paying applicants only.

Overview

Interested in how health innovations move into practice? This project will examine how implementation considerations can be embedded earlier in innovation pathways to inform policy and healthcare decision-making. Although horizon scanning identifies new health and care innovations, it rarely considers factors influencing implementation. The PhD will be co-developed with the student and examine how implementation considerations can be embedded within the horizon scanning and foresight space to inform policy and decision-making. It is expected to include a range of research methods and the development of frameworks or tools to support adoption-ready innovation.

Number of awards: 1

Start date: September 2026

Award duration: 3 years full-time

Sponsor: Newcastle University

Supervisors:

Professor Dawn Craig, Newcastle University

Professor Paul Wilson, University of Manchester

Dr Pauline Addis, Newcastle University

Eligibility criteria

Applicants should have (expect to achieve) at least a 2:1 honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject, such as health sciences, biomedical engineering, or related discipline.

A strong interest in implementation science, innovation adoption, or health systems research is essential, alongside an interest in horizon scanning and foresight.

Experience of qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods research would be advantageous.

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in each sub-skill).

How to apply

To apply for a studentship, you must register and apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:

• You can search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8370F (for example)
• Please leave the ‘Research Area' field blank
• Select ‘PhD Population Health Sciences (FT)' as the programme of study

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form. The personal statement must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code PH066 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project 
• The studentship code PH066 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field
• When prompted for how you are providing your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert - you do not need to upload a research proposal.

In the ‘Supporting Documentation’ section please upload:

• Your CV

You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application.

Contact details

For further information, please contact:

Professor Dawn Craig
Email: dawn.craig@newcastle.ac.uk

or

Dr Pauline Addis
Email: Pauline.addis@newcastle.ac.uk

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