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PhD Scholarships for strengthening Applied Global Health Research capacity in South Asia

The Department of Health Sciences, University of York, UK is inviting applications from aspiring individuals who are from South Asia, for fully funded PhD scholarships in Applied Global Health Research. The scholarships are being offered under the SCIMITAR-South Asia (SCIMITAR-SA) programme which aims to build research capacity in the area of physical and mental health in three South Asian countries: Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. SCIMITAR-SA is being led by the University of York. The programme is funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) and includes partners in the countries identified above. 

Three positions are available on a full-time basis to start in October 2024 for 3 years. Successful candidates will be enrolled in the Department of Health Sciences PhD programme at the University of York, UK. They will have the option to be based in York or undertake a distance-learning PhD while being based in their home country.

They will be supervised by senior academics from SCIMITAR-SA at York and its collaborating institutions in the UK and South Asia. This is an excellent opportunity for those who are interested in working on issues relevant to the South Asian region, particularly tobacco use, which lies at the interface of physical and mental health. SCIMITAR-SA comprises a large multi-disciplinary team, and students will have the option of developing skills in a range of methodological and scientific approaches, which include, but are not limited to: evidence synthesis, quantitative research, qualitative research, participatory learning approaches, policy evaluation, economic modelling, community and public involvement, randomised controlled trials and implementation science. Students will benefit from being based in a lively and supportive research and learning environment. 

All students (York-based and overseas) will have full access to postgraduate training facilities, including library and IT services at York. They will be members of the NIHR Academy and will benefit from networking and mentorship opportunities, as well as a wide range of training options available through, NIHR, SCIMITAR-SA and its associated Global Health Research programmes (DiaDeM, Centre for IMPACT etc) at York. Distance learning students will also have the opportunity to visit York on short-term placements.

About SCIMITAR- SA

Tobacco use is identified both as a long-term condition and a precursor for several preventable chronic illnesses globally. People with severe mental illness (SMI) constitute one of the most vulnerable populations, with a life expectancy that is reduced by around 20 years. Much of this reduced life expectancy is driven by the presence of multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs). The greatest contributor to this mortality gap is tobacco use; the greatest health gains can, therefore, be achieved by preventing the onset and progression of MLTCs, by reducing the use of tobacco among people with SMI. 

The SCIMITAR-SA programme aims to address tobacco use among people with SMI (primarily schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, psychosis, bipolar illness, and severe depression with psychosis) living in three South Asian countries – Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. We will adapt and deliver a behavioural intervention for people with SMI to quit tobacco use. We will evaluate clinical and cost-effectiveness, and assess contextual barriers and drivers to deliver the intervention in healthcare settings.

Funding

Scholarships are available on a full-time basis and provide:

  • University of York tuition fees at the overseas rate for 3 years
  • An annual stipend commensurate with UKRI rates, paid to students for three years. For students enrolled on the distance-learning PhD, this stipend will also need to cover costs for travel to the UK, as well as supervision and examinations in the UK.
  • A research training support budget of up to £3000 is available over 3 years. This can be used to cover travel and subsistence to attend training (all students).
  • Visa arrangements will be the responsibility of students.

Essential and desirable requirements

The SCIMITAR-SA program aims to build research capacity in the area of physical and mental health research in three South Asian countries: Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. Applicants must be nationals of these countries. They can choose to study in the UK, or their home country (distance-learning PhD).

They will need to hold, or expect to gain, at least an upper second-class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in a health or medical sciences-related subject. A Masters degree in a related subject is highly desirable.

For students whose first language is not English, there is a minimum requirement of an IELTS score of at least 6.5 in each component of the test, and an overall score of at least 7 (or equivalent score on other tests approved by the University of York).

Process for application

Please follow the link for a step-by-step guide to the application process.

Applicants are required to submit a short research proposal (up to 2000 words, excluding references). Proposals should complement the SCIMITAR-SA and global health research programmes of the Department of Health Sciences, University of York. Applications will only be considered if a research proposal is submitted. Applicants are encouraged to make informal inquiries to discuss ideas and get support for their proposal before applying. Please see the list of potential supervisors and their contact details below. (Please note that if a supervisor agrees to support your application, it does not automatically identify them as your PhD supervisor, this will be finalised once successful candidates have been identified).  

Applications should be made using the Department of Health Sciences on-line application process which can be accessed using the link below.

http://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/apply?course=DRPHSCSHSC3 

Please include Reference: ‘SCIMITAR-SA 2024’ in your application.

In the section ‘​​Additional Details’, in response to the question ‘How do you intend to finance your studies?’ please choose the option “Other” and please specify: ‘SCIMITAR-SA 2024 Scholarship.

You will need to complete the application using the link above. You can see a PDF of the questions in the form here. (PDF , 139kb).

Applications should be received by Tuesday, 30th April 2024 before 16:00h UTC. 

Shortlisting and interviews

Shortlisting will take place as soon as possible after the closing date and shortlisted applicants will be notified promptly. Individuals with the strongest qualifications, academic records, experience, and research proposal ideas will be shortlisted jointly by a panel of senior academics from the University of York.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview. Interviews are expected to take place in June 2023 and will be conducted face-to-face or via Zoom or similar communication tools, if required. Applicants will be scored at the shortlisting and interview stages against the criteria described in the Step-by-step application guide.

Start date: October 2024.

Informal enquiries

For informal enquiries please contact:

POTENTIAL SUPERVISORS AND CONTACT DETAILS

Department of Health Sciences

The Department of Health Sciences includes over 280 academics, teachers, researchers and support staff engaged in delivering research, professional development, education and training. Our core aim is excellence in research and teaching while contributing to improving health and healthcare through the application of our research to policy and practice. We are a multidisciplinary department, involving clinicians from a range of health professions including medicine, nursing and midwifery alongside disciplines such as statistics, health economics, health services research, psychology, sociology and epidemiology. In the most recent assessment of research quality in the UK (the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, Health Sciences was ranked 6th in the UK for research power, with over 92% of our research rated as world-leading (4*) for impact.

Our research activity is organised around six core themes: mental health and addiction; trials and statistics; public health and society; cancer epidemiology; cardiovascular health; and health services and policy http://www.york.ac.uk/healthsciences/research/. The successful candidate will join a vibrant community of over 200 postgraduate students in our Graduate School, including over 50 PhD students. Our PhD students are embedded in one of our research groups and have the flexibility to tailor their studies to pursue their research interests. A bespoke training programme is designed in conjunction with the supervisory team to support the development of essential subject-specific and transferable skills for their future careers.

The University of York

The University of York is one of the foremost Universities in the UK and a member of the Russell Group of leading UK Universities. It has an outstanding record of research, teaching, and training across a full range of disciplines. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, the University of York moved into the top 10 universities in the UK. The University has a particular strength in health-related research. The main campus is a 200-acre landscaped park, with colleges and academic buildings within walking distance of each other. Proximity to the historic city of York makes the University a popular choice and provides a pleasant working environment. Transport connections to York are fast and effective.

Further information on postgraduate studies at the University can be found on the University of York Graduate Research School website: https://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/.