Sensor technology, Recovery, Rehab and Safety in Patients After Knee Replacement

This is an exciting opportunity to undertake a PhD within the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Leeds HealthTech Research Centre (HRC) and the Yorkshire and Humber Patient Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC), a partnership between the University of Leeds and Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust. The HRC is funded by the NIHR to undertake research into surgical technologies and assisted healing and rehabilitation and the PSRC is funded by the NIHR to undertake patient safety research. You will be part of a stimulating and supportive network of students and researchers working across the University and in the NHS. <br /> <br /> This prestigious award is available to an exceptional candidate who can demonstrate excellent academic ability, an enthusiasm for healthcare safety, the drive and determination to undertake a PhD and an ambition to work in a multi-disciplinary team to deliver research that makes healthcare safer and more effective. <br /> <br /> A PhD studentship is available for UK citizens only. The studentship will attract an annual tax-free stipend of £19,237 for up to 3 years, subject to satisfactory progress and will cover the UK/EU tuition fees, with a budget of £750 for further training. <br /> <br /> You will be enthusiastic, organised and motivated with experience in, or interest in health technology and orthopaedics. You should hold a first degree equivalent to at least a UK upper second class honours degree, or suitable postgraduate degree in a health-related subject (e.g. physiotherapy, nursing etc.), psychology, or social science.

<p>Total knee replacement (TKR) is a common operation typically undertaken in older adults with severe knee osteoarthritis. Around 90,000 TKRs are performed annually in the UK alone. Most patients who undergo TKR experience large improvements in their pain, function, and quality of life. However, around one in five patients report long-term pain post-TKR, with many more experiencing residual symptoms such as stiffness, swelling, and difficulty with daily activities. Furthermore, a substantial proportion of patients report they are not satisfied with their TKR outcome. Implant failure is another important outcome to monitor, with pooled registry data suggesting around 93% of TKRs last at least 15 years. The proportion of TKRs undertaken among younger, active patients is growing. These patients place greater demands on their TKRs for longer durations, increasing the risk of implant failure over their lifetimes.</p> <p>‘Smart implants’ are implants in which electronic or other technologies are incorporated into the implant components to provide quantitative in vivo data. TKR smart implants have a range of potential applications such as providing motion data to track recovery, enabling implant alignment to be adjusted in vivo, detecting/monitoring implant loosening and wear, and detecting and treating infection. While TKR smart implants have great potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce implant failure, the technology is still in its infancy with limited clinical use. Many technological, clinical, and ethical challenges remain to be addressed for smart implants to be used successfully in practice. The safety of smart implants is a key concern, with further research being required to help identify, monitor, and address safety issues. This PhD studentship will involve a mixed methods approach to provide novel insights into these areas, including through analysis of quantitative data obtained from smart implants being trialled in patients and thorough qualitative exploration of perspectives of smart implants among patients, clinicians, and other key stakeholders.</p> <p>Working with Professor Hemant Pandit (Orthopaedics), Professor Beth Fylan (Safety Science) and Professor Carl Thompson (Implementation Science) holders of our prestigious PhD studentships will work within the dynamic research teams at the NIHR HRC and the Y&H PSRC. </p> <p>Environment:</p> <p>The studentship will be based in the Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, but you will also be able to join the vibrant community of safety researchers in the Bradford Institute for Health Research-based PSRC.  As a Y&H PSRC PhD student will become an NIHR trainee and can benefit from a range of training support and resources to develop your knowledge and health research skills.</p> <p>The Y&H PSRC mission is to deliver research to make healthcare safer. Our work draws on the knowledge and expertise of well-established networks of researchers, patients/carers, clinicians and industry partners to develop ideas that address patient safety problems.  </p>

<p>To apply for this scholarship opportunity applicants should complete an online application form and attach the following documentation to support their application. </p> <p>o    a full academic CV<br /> o    degree certificate and transcripts of marks<br /> o    Evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (if applicable)</p> <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> <p>o    Select PhD in Medicine as your programme of study<br /> o    Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert<br /> o    For source of funding please state you are applying for the Sensor technology, Recovery, Rehab and Safety in Patients After Knee Replacement project.</p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p>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. Within the 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. </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’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>Information about the Award<br /> o    A PhD studentship is available for UK citizens only. The studentship will attract an annual tax-free stipend of £19,237 for up to 3 years, subject to satisfactory progress and will cover the UK/EU tuition fees, with a budget of £750 for further training.  <br /> Duration of the Award<br /> o    Full-time (3 years). The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to two years, subject to satisfactory academic progress.<br /> Other Conditions<br /> o    Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.<br /> o    Awards must be taken up by 1st June 2025.<br /> o    Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</p>

<p>If you would like to know more about this studentship, please contact: Professor Hemant Pandit (h.pandit@leeds.ac.uk). </p> <p>For further information please contact the Faculty Admissions Team: fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</p>