PhD Studentship : Assessing the Impact of Steroids in Children and Young People with Rheumatic Conditions

We are pleased to announce an opportunity for a funded full-time PhD in the College of Health, Science and Society, UWE Bristol. The studentship is funded by Wallscourt Foundation funded PhD studentships in long-term health conditions:

Ref 2425-OCT-CHSS4

The expected start date of this studentship is 01 October 2024

The closing date for applications is 15 May 2024.

Studentship Details

Glucocorticoids (GC), also known as Steroids, can be organ and life-saving in the treatment of inflammatory conditions. They can however impact health-related quality of life. In children, GCs can impact mental health, and participation in school, hobbies, and family life.

The Steroid PRO is a patient reported outcome (PRO) measure, developed by researchers at UWE Bristol and the University of Oxford to measure the impact of steroids on adult patients’ health related quality of life. The Steroid PRO has been validated for use as an outcome measure in clinical trials and in clinical practice to aid shared decision making by highlighting the patient perspective on the impact of Steroids.

We are now collaborating with researchers from Alder Hey, at the University of Liverpool, to offer this PhD studentship to explore the development of a paediatric and young people versions of the Steroid PRO. The PhD studentship will develop the applicant’s knowledge and expertise in the methodological approach to the development of PROs, particularly within the paediatric population, and include qualitative and quantitative approaches (underpinning qualitative interviews or focus groups, cognitive interviewing, Rasch Analysis and Factor Analysis).

For an informal discussion about the studentship, please email

Dr Jo Robson, Associate Professor in Rheumatology.

Jo.robson@uwe.ac.uk

Funding details

The studentship is available from 01 October 2024 for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory progress and includes a tax-exempt stipend, which is currently £18,622 (2023/24) per annum. In addition, full-time tuition fees will be covered for up to three years (Home).

Eligibility

Applicants must have a Master’s degree, plus a Bachelors degree at 2:1 or above. Ideally, they would have experience of qualitative and quantitative research methods applied in health or psychology research. Please provide a covering letter to your application.

How to apply

Please submit your application online. When prompted use the reference number 2425-OCT-CHSS4.

Supporting documentation: you will need to upload your research proposal, all your degree certificates and transcripts and a recognised English language qualification is required.

References: you will need to provide details of two referees as part of your application.

Closing date

The closing date for applications is 15 May 2024

Further Information

It is expected that interviews will take place on weeks commencing 17^th June 2024. If you have not heard from us by 31 May 2024, we thank you for your application but on this occasion you have not been successful.

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