About the Project

This HDR UK funded PhD project is ideal for someone who is highly committed to the progression of clinical research and a career in academia?

Based at the University of Strathclyde it provides the chance to receive research training while conducting a clinical research project in one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities.

The PhD will include use of routine linked health and care data assets (e.g. the national Scottish datasets such as Prescribing Information System-PIS- and Scottish Morbidity Records -SMR-) to investigate how prescribing of medicines should be optimised for people living with MLTCs in the secondary acute care setting. Areas of focus could include, but not limited to:

  • Optimising prescribing of mental health medications in secondary care.
  • Optimising compliance to clinical guidelines
  • Reducing harmful drug-drug interactions across all clinical settings.

The project is aimed at this who have the talent and ambition to become future leaders in health data science.

The successful candidate will join a vibrant cohort of HDR UK-funded PhD students in a highly interdisciplinary environment, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and networking across the UK.

  • Find out more here.

What’s involved

As a clinical doctoral fellow your main duties will include:

  • Generating and pursuing original research ideas in the appropriate subject area
  • Developing research objectives and proposals and contributing to setting the direction of the research project and team including, where appropriate preparing proposals for funding in collaboration with colleagues
  • Obtaining ethical approval
  • Communicating and presenting research results at a local, national and international level
  • Independently writing reports and papers leading to high quality publications in peer-reviewed journals, or other recognised forms of output, as appropriate
  • Evaluating methods and techniques used by others and to relate appropriately to your own work
  • Keeping abreast of the literature and maintain a good working knowledge of the background and current developments in the field of the project
  • Working both independently and as part of a larger team of researchers, engaging in knowledge-transfer activities where appropriate and feasible
  • Contributing to teaching activities of the HDR UK Medicines Driver Programme PhD group where appropriate.

What you bring to the role

If you are a registered healthcare professional (which includes nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, pharmacists and healthcare scientists) as a clinical doctoral fellow, you will have:

  • BSc in an appropriate field at 2:1 level or higher or equivalent experience
  • A registration with the appropriate UK registration body (e.g. NMC/HCPC/GPhC etc).

If you are a medical applicant you will have:

  • MBBS/MBChB or equivalent
  • MRCP (UK) or equivalent (international qualifications will be considered)
  • GMC registration with a license to practice
  • Relevant specialty training in the specialty aligned with your research proposal
  • Demonstrable experience of working in your relevant specialty.

If you are a dental applicant you will have

  • BDS or BChD or equivalent.
  • Full GDC registration with evidence of performer list accreditation (e.g. completed Foundation Dentistry training) or National Certification of Equivalence of Dental Core Training;
  • MFDS or equivalence.
  • Relevant clinical expertise in the specialty aligned with your research proposal.
  • Demonstrable experience of working in your relevant area.

All applicants will also have

  • Eligibility to enroll for a PhD at UK rates with the University of Strathclyde
  • English language skills that meet SIPBS PhD entry requirements.
  • Demonstrable experience of working in your relevant specialty
  • A strong commitment to your own continuous professional development including evidence of motivation to pursue higher research degree
  • Proven ability to write to the standard required for research reports/international publications
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills including presentation skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
  • Good time management and planning skills, with proven ability to manage competing demands effectively, responsibly and without close support
  • Ability to work flexibly, when necessary, to fulfil the needs of the research project

You may also have:

  • A research master’s degree, intercalated BSc, or equivalent in a relevant subject area
  • Experience in medical research
  • Previous first author peer reviewed publications
  • Experience of research public and patient involvement and engagement (PPIE)
  • Previous experience in laboratory-based or clinical trials research (training will be provided if necessary)

Salary: Commensurate with your current salary up to a maximum of £71,000 per annum.

Contact information

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact lead supervisor Dr Amanj Kurdi and Prof. Marion Bennie