Joint NIHR RSS delivered by Newcastle University and Partners and ARC NENC PhD – Optimising the Collection of Research Data in Primary Care Settings

Award summary

100% of home tuition fees paid, annual stipend of £21,805 and additional funding given to cover research costs of £15,000. This studentship is only available to those eligible for UK home tuition fees.  

Overview

Interested in developing innovative solutions to collect research outcome data in primary care? The 10-Year Health Plan includes the transition from hospital to the community and analogue to digital. This includes the use innovative digital solution such as the NHS App as a ‘digital front door’ to the health service. This shift in policy creates potential opportunities to use the digital solutions to support efficient clinical trial and other research outcome data collection, particularly from primary and community care. The PhD will evaluate how we can optimise the collection of research (particularly trial) data from out-of-hospital settings, which will then help to inform future studies as best practice. The PhD may include:

• Evidence synthesis in how outcome data is currently being collected in primary care-based trials
• Focus groups/interviews with key stakeholders to explore the feasibility and acceptability of novel approaches to obtaining outcome data as well as barriers and facilitators to these approaches
• Validation across data sources including medical records and patient reported outcomes

The PhD will conclude with co-production workshops to produce best practice guidance

Number of awards: 1

Start date: January 2027

Award duration: 3.5 years (including a placement for up to 3-months)

Sponsor: NIHR RSS N&P and NIHR ARC NENC 

Supervisors: 

Dr Eugene Tang
Dr Sam Harrison
Professor Helen Hancock
Professor Laura Ternent
Helen Mossop

Eligibility criteria

To qualify for this studentship, you will need at least an upper second-class honours (2:1) bachelors degree, and a masters degree (in a relevant social or health sciences subject) or equivalent professional experience and an interest in/experience in health and social care research.

How to apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal

In ‘Course choice’ tab, click ‘Search Course’ put ‘Postgraduate Research’ in 'Type of Study', ‘Full Time’ in ‘Mode of Study’, ‘2026’ in ‘Year of Entry’, ‘January’ in ‘Month of Entry – Intake’, code ‘8370F’ in ‘Course Title’, blank in ‘Research Area’.

Press ‘Search’, select ‘PhD Population Health Sciences (FT)’, and click ‘Save selection.’

Either upload a document or write into the ‘Personal Statement’ section.

Put code ‘ARC6’ in ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’. When prompted for research proposal, select ‘Write Proposal’. Type in the title of the research project from this advert. A research proposal is not required. You can also upload a covering letter and CV, please state how your interests and experience relate to the project.

Contact details

For further details about the studentship, please contact:

Dr. Eugene Tang
E-mail: eugene.tang@newcastle.ac.uk