PhD Scholarship in Family Caregiving

PhD Scholarship in Family Caregiving

Family carers are individuals who provide regular unpaid personal help or support to a family member, neighbour or friend living with a chronic illness, health challenge or disability. Caregiving can be very rewarding but can sometimes be associated with challenges that can impact on family carers’ own health and well-being. It is crucial to understand the experience and identify meaningful supports for family carers, who are often viewed as the “hidden workforce” or the “second patient”. 

This is a 4-year, full-time PhD position at the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems in University College Dublin. This scholarship includes a €22,000 stipend per year, full student fee coverage and a small research budget to undertake the project in Ireland. 

The scholarship would suit someone passionate about understanding the experiences of family carers and identifying effective supports. Topics that the scholarship may be used to explore are (but not limited to): 

• Family carers attending Higher Education Institutions
• Co-designing supports for family carers
• Digital health technology to support family carers
• Simulation in family carer education

Candidates interested in employing qualitative, mixed-method or Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) research methods are encouraged to apply. Applications from individuals who have experience as a family carer are particularly welcome.

The successful applicant will be supervised by Dr Andrew Darley (andrew.darley@ucd.ie) and a supervisory team based in the School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Systems.

To find out more information on how to apply for this PhD opportunity, please visit the information booklet available here.