Dunhill Medical Trust Reimagine Ageing Doctoral Research Programme

The School of Medicine invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2024/25 within the Dunhill Medical Trust Reimagine Ageing Doctoral Research Programme. The award is open to full-time candidates (UK only) who meet the eligibility for a place on a PhD degree in the School of Medicine.<br /> <br /> The Reimagine Ageing PhD Programme will consist of three new PhD opportunities (two funded by The Dunhill Medical Trust, and one co-funded by University of Leeds), for a duration of 42 months.

<p>The focus of our <a href="https://dunhillmedical.org.uk/">Dunhill Medical Trust</a> Reimagine Ageing Doctoral Research Programme (DRP) is to improve quality of life, functional capacity and well-being of older people and through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/reimagine-ageing">Leeds Reimagine Ageing (RA) Network</a> create the context for positive change. The Network is embedded in and is being co-created with community partners with the intent for meaningful interdisciplinary engagement from colleagues across the University of Leeds and with the communities whose lives they seek to improve. This programme will undertake relevant empirical work; develop capacity in this area through studentships and engagement of early career researchers in supervision and ongoing seminar programmes; and ensure the direct relevance of work undertaken.&nbsp;</p> <p>Below are the areas of work for the PhD studentships with suggestions of topics within those areas. &nbsp;</p> <p>Areas of potential PhD study relate to innovative solutions which might enhance the perceptions, narratives and experience of ageing. Broad themes are outlined below. &nbsp;</p> <ol> <li>Approaches, technologies, system changes, innovative solutions to:&nbsp;<br /> i. Prevent, reduce, limit harm of, falls in older people.&nbsp;<br /> ii. Sustain independence of older people including those at risk of needing home care services or care home placement.&nbsp;<br /> iii. Improve care in care homes.</li> <li>Explore the benefits of art and cultural engagement in relation to ageing.&nbsp;</li> <li>Stratified care for older people with frailty: use of individual participant data meta-analysis to better target interventions.&nbsp;</li> </ol> <p>Further details of possible topics within those areas are available from Anne Forster (<a href="mailto:a.forster@leeds.ac.uk">a.forster@leeds.ac.uk</a>).&nbsp;</p> <p>The methodology considered will be broad and as example may involve: electrical engineering, data science, ethnography, qualitative and/or quantitative approaches.&nbsp;</p> <p>Supervisors will be identified from our existing pool of interdisciplinary expertise according to the specific area and topic chosen.&nbsp;</p> <p>This DRP will focus on use of novel methods to answer key research questions, drawing on the internationally-leading expertise that is available from the supervisory teams, to ensure that successful candidates will be well positioned to develop as future research leaders. &nbsp;</p> <h5>The Reimagine Ageing Interdisciplinary Research Network</h5> <p>The <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/reimagine-ageing">Reimagine Ageing Interdisciplinary Research Network</a> is hosted by the Horizons Institute University of Leeds. The focus is on how approaches and innovative solutions might enhance the perceptions, narratives and experience of ageing.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Network brings together academics, clinicians, industrial partners, charities, the third sector, and local authorities to stimulate new interdisciplinary collaborations and co-create novel, imaginative responses to the global challenge of ageing. The Reimagine Ageing PhD Programme has been funded by Dunhill Medical Trust and the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Leeds. &nbsp;</p> <p>A range of areas have been identified by colleagues across the Network as suitable for PhD study. Whilst the PhD students will be hosted by the Faculty of Medicine and Health the identified areas demonstrate the cross-Faculty nature of the Network, and dependent on the precise topic, supervisors will be drawn, as appropriate, from clinical areas, biological sciences, big data, arts and humanities, Electronic and Electrical Engineering.</p> <h5>Information about the award</h5> <ul> <li>We are offering 3 full-time PhD scholarships&nbsp;for UK candidates, covering a maintenance grant of &pound;19,895 per year and UK tuition fees for three and a half &nbsp;years subject to satisfactory progress.</li> </ul> <h5>Duration of the award</h5> <ul> <li>Full-time (3.5 years). The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to two and a half years, subject to satisfactory academic progress.</li> </ul> <h5>Other Conditions</h5> <ul> <li>Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree</li> <li>Awards must be taken up by 1^st&nbsp;October</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship, with the expectation they will contribute to development of the Reimagine Ageing Network</li> </ul>

<p>To apply for this scholarship applicants should complete an <a href="https://prod.banner.leeds.ac.uk/ssb/bwskalog_uol.P_DispLoginNon">online application form</a> and attach the following documentation to support their application:</p> <ul> <li>a full academic CV</li> <li>degree certificate and transcripts of marks</li> <li>evidence that you meet the University&rsquo;s English language requirements (if applicable)</li> </ul> <p>To help us identify that you are applying for this scholarship project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form</p> <ul> <li>Select PhD in Medicine as your programme of study</li> <li>Provide the area you are interested in and briefly outline the type of research you wish to pursue relevant to the area identified</li> <li>For source of funding please state you are applying for a Dunhill Medical Trust Scholarship</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University&rsquo;s minimum English language requirements (below)</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to this scholarship in the School of Medicine should normally have an Undergraduate degree of 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject area. A Master&rsquo;s degree is desirable, but not essential. 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.

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.

<p>For further information please contact the Faculty Admissions Team e: <a href="mailto:fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk">fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</a> and/or Anne Forster e: <a href="mailto:a.forster@leeds.ac.uk">a.forster@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>