PhD Studentship in the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC): North East and North Cumbria (NENC): Researching Equity, Access and Place-based-health: Community-based Diagnostics

Award summary

100% of home tuition fees paid and an annual stipend (living expenses) of £21,805 (2026 – 27 UKRI rate). Significant additional funding given to cover research costs and travel.

Overview

This project will investigate equity, access and place-based-health, through a lens of enquiry around Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) to understand their impact in reducing health inequalities and supporting accessible, community-based care.

The project will be based in the North East of England and will explore CDC impact on individual and community-based levels. The researcher will utilise mixed methods to explore: (i) perspectives and impact of the CDCs for service users and healthcare staff (qualitative), as well as advanced statistical methods to explore: (ii) relationships/associations between CDC access and community and place-based health outcomes (quantitative). The work will also involve knowledge mobilisation approaches to share the findings on a local and regional basis.

The researcher will work closely with a supervisory team that includes expertise of health inequalities, service access, equity diversity and inclusion, place-based-health and statistical analysis. Research inclusion will be embedded throughout, mainly through the close collaborative working with external partners (the Great North Healthcare Alliance) and public contributors across the North East of England. The project has been designed to include links to the NIHR Newcastle Patient Safety Research Collaboration and existing patient and public involvement and engagement groups so that the work is designed, conducted and disseminated in a way that is accessible and relevant.

All students will undertake an 8-week placement as part of their studies.

Number of awards: 1

Start date: January 2027

Award duration: 3.5 years including placement. Part-time options available, please get in touch.  

Sponsor: NIHR ARC: NENC

Supervisors:

Anna Robinson-Barella
Adam Todd
Luke Munford
Martin Wilson
Clare Bambra

Eligibility criteria

Some existing knowledge of, and/or skills in, mixed methods (or qualitative and/or quantitative) research. Educated to masters level in a health-related topic (i.e., public health).

This studentship is only available to applicants with a Home fee status (UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status and meet the residency criteria).

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 ‘ARC2’ 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.

You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application.

Contact details

Dr. Anna Robinson-Barell
Population Health Sciences
Newcastle University
Anna.robinson-barella@newcastle.ac.uk

If you have any technical queries about submitting your application via the Apply to Newcastle Portal, please use our FAQs