PhD studentship

The School of Social Policy and Society is offering funding for doctoral research to develop scalable interventions in surgery. The studentship will involve methodological development to explore how we can evaluate multiple evidence-based interventions at scale to improve outcomes for surgical patients. The student will be supervised by academics from the Birmingham Centre for Evidence and Implementation Science (CEIS), the University of Birmingham (Lead supervisor: Professor Amy Grove).

CEIS are a multi-disciplinary team at the forefront of methodological innovation and policy and practice change. The Centre encompasses: 1) An NIHR Technology Appraisal Review team 2) an NIHR Evidence Synthesis Group 3) an Evidence Based Surgery Unit and 4) a Policy and Methods Group. The successful applicant will benefit from opportunities for professional and personal development through established NIHR infrastructure including the West Midlands Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) and the NIHR Patient Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC).

We anticipate that the studentship will address the research question:

How should we evaluate the implementation of multiple evidence-based interventions to generate improvements in outcomes for surgical patients?

However, there will be flexibility for students to develop their own research questions.

For informal enquiries, please contact Prof Amy Grove: [email protected]

How to Apply for the PhD studentship:

Applications must be made through the University of Birmingham Postgraduate Application portal. Your application will not be considered if you do not apply for admission. To apply for admission please click here, selecting PhD in Health Services Management (full time or part time). Once you have applied, please email Pearl Pawson ([email protected]) with your details and application number.

Your application should include:

• A personal statement / cover letter explaining why you are a suitable candidate and what you would bring to the PhD (2 pages maximum)

• A short (2 page maximum) research protocol to address the proposed research question.

• A CV

• Two academic references

• Transcripts (previous qualifications)

Please mention that you are applying for the CEIS, scalable interventions in surgery PhD studentship within your application. Full information about applying for a PhD at the University of Birmingham can be found at Apply for an advertised PhD – University of Birmingham.

Eligibility

The studentship is offered as a 3-year award (commencing 29th September 2025) on a full-time basis, or part-time equivalent. Applicants are expected to have a strong first degree (2:1) in a relevant health sciences/social science discipline, including demonstrable experience in applied health services research, and a Masters degree in a relevant discipline with research methods training (or equivalent professional training).

Financial information

University of Birmingham studentships within the School of Social Policy include tuition fees and a stipend. Stipends are funded in line with UKRI recommendations. The stipend for 2025/ is £20,780.

International students are encouraged to apply. In such instances, the studentship will cover the tuition fees at the international rate and provide a small maintenance grant. Remaining living expenses and any visa requirements must be funded from other sources.

Application deadline: 21st April 2025.