Automated analysis of qualitative data using AI for patient safety

Do you want to apply data science methods to analyse healthcare staff and patient narratives concerning experiences in healthcare systems? Do you want to pioneer innovative new approaches to understanding quality and safety in healthcare? Do you want to develop AI-based patient safety intelligence solutions to support policy-makers and providers as they shape future healthcare systems? If so, this studentship opportunity will appeal to you.

The NIHR Yorkshire and Humber Patient Safety Research Collaborative (PSRC) is inviting applications for a full-time PhD studentship, to start in 2024, as part of its interdisciplinary Safety Intelligence work stream. This research studentship seeks to bring together data science and safety science, with the aim of enhancing patient safety intelligence in healthcare, based upon automated mining of large qualitative datasets generated by staff and patients. The studentship will appeal to candidates from a range of backgrounds with specific interest in application of AI/machine learning methods for automated language analysis of free text (e.g. sentiment analysis; natural language processing using large & small language models, topic modelling, and similar). It may additionally appeal to candidates with a background in qualitative methods who are interested in extending qualitative approaches using quantitative methods.

The studentship will be based across the University of Leeds (with links to the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics) and the Patient Safety Research Collaborative (PSRC) located at the Bradford Institute for Health Research. The student will join a multidisciplinary team of researchers in Patient Safety Intelligence with expertise in data science, health and social science research methods. The supervision team includes expertise in patient safety research (specifically safety intelligence), safety science and artificial intelligence in health care (including application of NLP methods in safety-related contexts). The team comprises:

• Dr Jonathan Benn (School of Psychology, University of Leeds, and theme lead for Safety Intelligence, Yorkshire and Humber PSRC)
• Prof. Alex Gillespie (Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science, London School of Economics)
• Prof. Carl Macrae (Nottingham University Business School)
• Dr Luke Budworth (Senior Research Data Analyst, Yorkshire and Humber PSRC)

Further information about the project can be found on the University website.

Eligibility

Applicants to this scholarship should normally have (or be about to obtain) an Undergraduate degree of 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject area. A Master’s degree is desirable, but not essential (for example: a Master’s degree in computer/data science, or a health/medicine-related area such as epidemiology, public health, psychology or medical research). Additionally, experience with programming and in relevant areas of data science, such as machine learning and language models, would be considered an advantage. Strong verbal and written communication skills are required for effective interdisciplinary collaboration and engagement with a broad range of research stakeholders including patients and the public. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Admissions Team prior to making an application.

Other conditions:

• Due to limited funding, we can only consider applicants for this position who are eligible for UK fee status.
• Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.
• Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.

Candidates whose first language is not English must provide evidence that their English language is sufficient to meet the specific demands of their study. The minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study in the School of Medicine is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

How to Apply

To apply for this scholarship opportunity applicants should complete an online application form and attach the following documentation to support their application. 

• A full academic CV
• Degree certificate and transcripts of marks
• Evidence that you meet the University’s minimum English language requirements (if applicable)

To help us identify that you are applying for this scholarship project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form;

• Select PhD in Psychology as your programme of study
• Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert
• For source of funding please state you are applying for a NIHR PSRC Scholarship