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Incorporating patient and health care preferences early in the innovation pathway to inform technology development

PGR-P-1769

Key facts

Type of research degree
PhD
Application deadline
Sunday 26 May 2024
Project start date
Tuesday 1 October 2024
Country eligibility
UK only
Funding
Competition funded
Source of funding
External organisation
Additional supervisors
Professor David Meads, Dr Paola Cocco
Schools
School of Medicine
<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Summary</h2>

The resources and time required to move from early biomedical research to clinical trials can be substantial. Decisions made early on in the innovation pathway relating to the target and minimum acceptable technology properties (including design features, diagnostic accuracy, efficacy and price) are critical determinants of successful reimbursement, adoption and uptake. The target product profile (TPP) of new technologies will be determined by a combination of factors and will incorporate clinical and patient input. However, this input typically comes in the form of qualitative data. While this is important and valuable, it is difficult to translate such research directly into TPPs.

<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Full description</h2>

<p>Stated preference techniques (e.g. best-worst scaling, discrete choice experiments) are increasingly being used to inform health care decisions and in the technology development process. They represent a range of survey techniques that seek to quantify respondent strength of preferences for different technology properties; willingness to trade-off between these attributes (e.g. risks vs benefits); willingness to pay; and the likely acceptance or uptake of the technologies.</p> <p>This BRC PhD will identify suitable case study technologies in the programme and use stated preference techniques with health care staff and/or patients to quantify the preferences for different technology properties and to estimate their likely uptake. This preference data will be combined with economic modelling to optimise TPPs and technology development. The PhD student will gain skills in qualitative research, preference elicitation techniques and economic modelling.</p> <p><strong>To support the application process or if you want to know more about our non-clinical PhDs a recording of our 2023 webinar can be found via the links below</strong></p> <p><strong>**The deadline dates in the webinar are out of date but are correct in the stand-alone slide deck**</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.findaphd.com/common/clickCount.aspx?theid=164726&amp;type=184&amp;DID=757&amp;url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3djRE-3RqlCh8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NIHR Leeds BRC Non Clinical PhD Scheme webinar - YouTube</a></p> <p>with a copy of the slide deck used at</p> <p><a href="https://www.findaphd.com/common/clickCount.aspx?theid=164726&amp;type=184&amp;DID=757&amp;url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3dQqQ5PbEdj-8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leeds BRC Non Clinical PhD Webinar FINAL updated slide deck March 24 - YouTube</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<h2 class="heading">How to apply</h2>

<p>To apply for this scholarship opportunity applicants should complete an <a href="https://biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/research-degrees/doc/how-to-apply">online application form</a> and attach the following documentation to support their application.&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Three supporting statements detailing your previous achievements, why you wish to study for a PhD and your experience of using evidence to inform conclusions.&nbsp;These will be used by our shortlisting panel (without any other information you submit) to select candidates for interview. Please<strong> <a href="https://leeds365-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/msjsar_leeds_ac_uk/EWpNioRfOnFOtYy0-vI3NMYB-U55N_vtiRXW0VOLS5irwA?rtime=rXynDPvh20g">download</a></strong><a href="https://leeds365-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/msjsar_leeds_ac_uk/EWpNioRfOnFOtYy0-vI3NMYB-U55N_vtiRXW0VOLS5irwA?rtime=rXynDPvh20g"> a copy of the template for these statements here</a> and upload it with your application.</li> <li>a full Narrative CV using the <a href="https://leeds365-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/msjsar_leeds_ac_uk/ESUuMXUAMQFJplLJWCJumiUBMrjvsU60E0YA0CbF6GZFJQ?e=CV5PTC&amp;wdLOR=c146CB828-59A6-4C09-ABA5-05B1BDE31ED7">NIHR Leeds BRC template</a> &ndash;&nbsp;Please note other versions of CV&rsquo;s will not be accepted.</li> <li>degree certificate and transcripts of marks at both Undergraduate and Postgraduate level as appropriate, or marks so far if still studying</li> <li>Evidence that you meet the University&#39;s minimum English language requirements (if applicable)</li> <li>An <a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/nihr-leeds-brc-academy-edi-survey">Equality, Diversity and Inclusion questionnaire.</a> We encourage candidates to complete this form so that we can understand our progress in recruiting under-represented groups. It is important to note that all responses are anonymous and data would only ever be used in aggregate to avoid identification of individuals. The questionnaire includes a &lsquo;prefer not to say&rsquo; option against each question if required. The information you provide on this questionnaire will not be used in the shortlisting process.</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>Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert &ndash;&nbsp;Please note you can apply for up to 2 projects. Please list these in order of preference on your applocation form.</li> <li>For source of funding please state you are applying for an NIHR Leeds BRC Non-Clinical Scholarship</li> </ul> <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. &nbsp;Within the Faculty of Medicine and Health 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>&nbsp;</p>

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">Entry requirements</h2>

A degree in biological sciences, dentistry, medicine, midwifery, nursing, psychology or a good honours degree (2:1 or above) in a subject relevant to the research topic. A Masters degree is desirable but not essential.

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">English language requirements</h2>

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence that their English language is sufficient to meet the specific demands of their study. The Faculty of Medicine and Health minimum requirements in IELTS and TOEFL tests for PhD, MSc, MPhil, MD are: &bull; British Council IELTS - score of 6.5 overall, with no element less than 6.0 &bull; TOEFL iBT - overall score of 92 with the listening and reading element no less than 21, writing element no less than 22 and the speaking element no less than 23.

<h2 class="heading">Funding on offer</h2>

<p>The University of Leeds is providing generous matched funding, supplementing the NIHR Leeds BRC award, to allow us to appoint one further non-clinical PhD Fellow who can select from 18 BRC related projects. Each PhD will be registered at the University of Leeds and we welcome applications from individuals, irrespective of their background, who can evidence great potential and commitment.</p> <p>The&nbsp;scholarship will provide academic&nbsp;fees at the UK rate, as well as a&nbsp;stipend of &pound;18,622 (based on the 2023/24 stipend rate, pro-rata for part time study) for up to three years (full time study, five years part time) and is available for&nbsp;UK applicants&nbsp;only. Due to limited funding we can only consider applicants eligible to pay academic fees at the UK fee rate.</p>

<h2 class="heading">Contact details</h2>

<p>For further information about this project please contact Professor David Meads</p> <p>e: <a href="mailto:D.Meads@leeds.ac.uk">D.Meads@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information please contact the Faculty Admissions Team<br /> e:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk">fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</a>,&nbsp;</p>


<h3 class="heading heading--sm">Linked funding opportunities</h3>