Assessing the Value and Reimbursement Pathways for Histotripsy in UK Oncology

This is an exciting opportunity to undertake an applied PhD in health economics, decision modelling and HealthTech evaluation in the Academic Unit of Health Economics (AUHE) within the Leeds Institute of Health Sciences (LIHS) at the University of Leeds.<br /> <br /> This PhD is part of a programme of research supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Surgical Pathways HealthTech Research Centre (HRC) and focuses on the economic evaluation and system-level impact of histotripsy – an innovative, non-invasive ultrasound technology for the treatment of liver tumours. As part of this project, you will work closely with an interdisciplinary team of health economists, clinicians and industry partners and benefit from access to an active and supportive network of students and researchers in the AUHE and LIHS at the University of Leeds. This PhD studentship offers excellent opportunities for skills development in simulation modelling, economic evaluation and HealthTech policy. <br /> <br /> Information about the Leeds NIHR HRC can be found at (https://hrc-surgical.nihr.ac.uk/). More information about AUHE (https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/health-economics) and LIHS (https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/homepage/146/leeds-institute-of-health-science) can be found via the University website links. <br /> <br /> This prestigious award is an excellent opportunity for a candidate wanting to undertake a PhD in health economics, particularly those with an interest in early economic modelling, simulation and HealthTech evaluation. <br />

<h2><strong>Research Project:</strong></h2> <p><br /> The PhD will focus on estimating the value of histotripsy in UK Oncology across multiple tumour sites. <br /> Background: Histotripsy is an innovative, non-invasive ultrasound treatment for liver tumors, offering a needle-free, incision-free alternative to conventional therapies. By precisely destroying cancerous tissues, this technology reduces complications and shortens hospital length of stay (LoS). The reduced LoS promises system-level benefits, improving patient flow and reducing waiting times. Histotripsy platforms represent non-trivial capital expenses and further evidence of their value is needed before full adoption into the NHS. However, evidence generation for HealthTech can be challenging and innovative methods for capturing system benefits and exploring reimbursement pathways are required.</p> <h3><strong>Objectives:</strong></h3> <p>This PhD studentship will develop a (simulation) model to assess the economic value, cost-effectiveness and system benefits of histotripsy. The research will explore technology use across multiple tumour types, including brain tumours, where there is a clinical unmet need for minimally invasive methods of treating surgically unresectable lesions. It will also evaluate alternative evidence generation and reimbursement frameworks to inform adoption pathways for this technology.</p> <h3><strong>Requirements:</strong></h3> <p>This project focuses on developing health economic evidence to support evidence generation for histotripsy across multiple tumour sites. It is particularly suited to those with training in health economics (or a related discipline), and an interest in HealthTech and simulation modelling. </p> <p> </p> <h3><strong>Environment:</strong></h3> <p><br /> During this PhD studentship, you will be supported by a multidisciplinary supervisory team with expertise spanning health economics, interventional radiology and neurosurgery:<br /> •    David Meads is Director of AUHE and Professor in Health Economics, University of Leeds. He is co-lead for early economic evaluation theme of the NIHR  HealthTech Research Centre; member of a NICE technology appraisal committee; and has many years’ experience in economic modelling.<br /> •    Tze Min Wah is a Professor of Interventional Radiology and Consultant Interventional Radiologist specialising in minimally invasive cancer therapy. She also leads a diversified industry funded research portfolio in local therapeutic delivery for liver, renal and solid organ cancers. She is co-lead for the Minimally Invasive Therapies and Digital Technologies theme at the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Accelerated Surgical Care. <br /> •    Ryan Mathew is an Associate Professor and Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon specialising in brain tumours. He also leads a translational research portfolio in local therapeutic delivery for brain tumours. He is co-lead for the Minimally Invasive Therapies and Digital Technologies theme at the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Accelerated Surgical Care. <br /> •    Paola Cocco is Research Fellow in Health Economics. Her work focuses on simulation modelling, (early) economic evaluation of HealthTech, and the use of Target Product Profiles (TPPs) to inform early development of new health technologies.</p> <p><br /> The successful applicant will benefit from the support of collaborators on the NIHR Leeds HRC, as well as the community of researchers at the AUHE and LIHS at the University of Leeds. The University of Leeds, a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities, is one of the top 10 Universities in the UK and is ranked in the top 100 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2019. </p> <p> </p> <h2><strong>References:</strong></h2> <p><br /> 1.    <a href="https://histosonics.com/">https://histosonics.com/</a><br /> 2.    Mendiratta-Lala M, Wiggermann P, Pech M, Serres-Créixams X, White SB, Davis C, Ahmed O, Parikh ND, Planert M, Thormann M, Xu Z, Collins Z, Narayanan G, Torzilli G, Cho C, Littler P, Wah TM, Solbiati L, Ziemlewicz TJ. The #HOPE4LIVER Single-Arm Pivotal Trial for Histotripsy of Primary and Metastatic Liver Tumors. Radiology. 2024 Sep;312(3):e233051. </p>

<p>To apply for this Studentship applicants should apply via <a href="https://prod.banner.leeds.ac.uk/ssb/bwskalog_uol.P_DispLoginNon">Admissions Login</a> and send this alongside a full academic CV, degree transcripts (or marks so far if still studying) and degree certificates to the Faculty Graduate School <a href="mailto:fmhgrad@leeds.ac.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">fmhgrad@leeds.ac.uk</a>.</p> <p><br /> We also require two academic references to support your application. Please ask your referees to send these references on your behalf, directly to fmhgrad@leeds.ac.uk by no later than 2^nd August 2025.</p> <p><br /> Any queries regarding the application process should be directed to <a href="mailto:fmhgrad@leeds.ac.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">fmhgrad@leeds.ac.uk</a>.</p> <p><br /> If you would like to know more about this Studentship, please contact: Professor David Meads (D.Meads@leeds.ac.uk) and Dr Paola Cocco (P.Cocco@leeds.ac.uk). </p> <p>Closing date for this Studentship is 22^nd July 2025. There is flexibility with the start date although our preference is that this should be by December 2025 at the latest.<br />  </p>

Required:<br /> <br /> • A degree equivalent to at least a UK upper second-class (2:1) honours degree, in a subject with a significant quantitative component (e.g. economics, statistics, mathematics, operational research, epidemiology).<br /> • The ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of people.<br /> • Excellent oral and written communication skills. <br /> • The ability to manage workload independently, meet deadlines and show initiative.<br /> <br /> Desirable:<br /> <br /> • A postgraduate degree (e.g. MSc) in a relevant subject (health economics, statistics, mathematics, operational research or epidemiology) or other subject with a significant quantitative element. <br /> • Knowledge of or experience of health economics. <br /> • Knowledge of or experience of decision analytic modelling.<br /> • An understanding of health technology assessment (HTA).<br /> <br />

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 Faculty minimum requirements are:<br /> <br /> • British Council IELTS – score of 6.5 overall, with no element less than 6.0<br /> • 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.

<p>This PhD Studentship is available for UK citizens only. The Studentship will attract an annual tax-free stipend of £20,780, increasing in line with UKRC guidelines each year, subject to satisfactory progress and will cover the academic fees at the UK fee rate. An additional training budget will be available.<br />  </p>

<p>For further information please contact the Graduate School Office<br /> e: <a href="mailto:EMAIL@leeds.ac.uk">fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>