PhD Opportunity - NIHR 3 Schools Dementia PhD Studentship at University College London 

We have an exciting, funded dementia PhD studentship available at UCL. Funded by the NIHR Three Schools’ Dementia Research Programme the Doctoral Studentship will support an individual with a stipend and fees for 3 years from February 2025. The studentship would be based in the Centre for Ageing Population Studies (CAPS) a friendly multi-disciplinary group of researchers in dementia across all career stages. The studentship would join a thriving group of 46 other PhD students in the Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health at UCL part of the Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care. Our exciting PhD community includes a peer led student support group, active seminar and journal club series, as well as annual student conferences. The student will also join a cohort of 17 students within the NIHR Three Schools programme which are spread across multiple universities in England. As a member of the Three Schools, the student will have access to a range of training opportunities, including webinars, masterclasses and conferences.

Decision aid for Parkinson’s Dementia (DECADE)

Supervisors: Prof Kate Walters, Dr Kumud Kantilal, Dr Nathan Davies

As dementia in people with Parkinson’s progresses, decisions are often left for carers to make. However, carers find making decisions stressful and challenging. This project aims to understand the complexity and context of decision-making among carers of people with Parkinson’s dementia and develop a prototype decision aid. Proposed methods include an evidence review, qualitative interviews with carers, focus groups/surveys with professions and stakeholder workshops to develop a prototype decision aid. The multi-professional supervisory team with expertise in primary care, social care, and public health will work with the student to develop their ideas and focus for the PhD.

This studentship would be ideal for someone with a master’s degree in a relevant subject such as applied health research, social sciences e.g. psychology, neurosciences or public health and understanding of the UK health system. Knowledge and/or experience of the following would be advantageous: qualitative research methods, ageing/Parkinson’s/dementia populations and developing complex interventions.

Interviews will take place on 4 November 2024.

Please send a CV and covering letter highlighting your skills and experience to study for this PhD, including any experience of research or work with people living with Parkinson’s disease, dementia or older populations, qualitative research knowledge/experience and reasons for why you would like to study a PhD.

Please send your applications by 5pm 21 October 2024 to Alice Pritchard: alice.pritchard@ucl.ac.uk

Click here for further information about this opportunity. 

For administrative queries please contact Alice Pritchard: alice.pritchard@ucl.ac.uk

For academic queries regarding this opportunity please contact Dr Kumud Kantilal: kumud.kantilal@ucl.ac.uk