Using system-wide integrated data to investigate inequities in patient safety

Do you want to apply the latest data science methods and analytic techniques to system-wide integrated data to understand variations in the quality and safety of health care? Do you want to answer pressing research questions concerning sources of inequality in patient safety for marginalised groups? Do you want to develop 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. The studentship aims to enhance patient safety intelligence in healthcare, specifically concerning insight into inequities in patient safety across sociodemographic and marginalised groups, including the development of new data analytic and visualisation tools that harness the power of large-scale integrated datasets. The studentship will appeal to candidates from a range of backgrounds with specific interests in healthcare data science and quantitative health services research.

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), data science and AI, statistics and clinical risk modelling. The team comprises:

• Dr Jonathan Benn (School of Psychology, University of Leeds, and theme lead for Safety Intelligence, Yorkshire and Humber PSRC)
• Dr Muhammad Faisal (Faculty of Health Studies, University of Bradford)
• 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