National Institute for Health & Care Research (NIHR) School for Primary Care Research (SPCR) PhD Studentship in primary care research Ref: 5856

Supervisors

1.       Dr Emma Cockcroft, APEx  - Faculty of Health and Life Sciences - https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/25868-emma-cockcroft 

2.      Associate Professor Lianne Wood, APEx - Faculty of Health and Life Sciences - https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/39689-lianne-wood

Project 1 supervisors:

Associate Professor Jane Smith, APEx, Exeter - Faculty of Health and Life Sciences - https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/22645-jane-smith

Professor Vashti Berry, ARC South West, University of Exeter - Faculty of Health and Life Sciences - https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/25140-vashti-berry

Associate Professor Kerryn Husk, ARC South West, University of Plymouth - https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/kerryn-husk

Project 2 supervisors:

Professor Sallie Lamb - Faculty of Health and Life Sciences - https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/33605-sallie-lamb

Dr Esther Williamson - Faculty of Health and Life Sciences - https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/35218-esther-williamson also at the Centre of Rehabilitation Research in the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford.

The Exeter Collaboration for Academic Primary Care (APEx) in the University of Exeter Medical School at St Luke’s Campus in Exeter is inviting applications for a PhD studentship commencing September 2026. This is part funded by the National Institute for Health & Care Research (NIHR) School for Primary Care Research (SPCR) with match funding for the final year provided by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South West or the Inflammatory Neuropathies UK Charity depending on the chosen project (see below). For eligible students the PhD studentship will cover Home tuition fees, an annual tax-free stipend of at least £21,805 for 3 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study, plus a contribution to research and training costs.

Supervision for the PhD is being offered around one of the two primary care focussed research projects below, please indicate which you are interested in on application.

Project 1: Social prescribing to support physical activity in children and young people with type 1 diabetes: understanding roles and co‑designing a feasible support package. Lead supervisor & contact: Dr Emma Cockcroft (e.j.cockcroft@exeter.ac.uk). Matched funding from ARC South West.

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is one of the most common chronic conditions in children and adolescents. Compared to their peers without diabetes, young people with T1D have lower levels of physical activity, even though regular physical activity is important in the management of T1D, in preventing future complications and in supporting mental wellbeing.

This project will explore how social prescribers can support physical activity among children and young people with T1D, and develop a practical, co‑designed support package for routine use in primary care and community settings. It will begin with a scoping review of social prescribing and link worker interventions for young people with long‑term conditions, followed by qualitative research with social prescribers, children, young people, and parents to understand current roles, barriers, and enablers. Using these findings, the project will co‑design and refine an intervention, informed by a logic model and guiding principles, in collaboration with stakeholders and an advisory group. A feasibility study will then test delivery, acceptability, and implementation pathways, using process data and interviews. The PhD will produce an evidence review, a detailed description of current practice, and a feasibility‑tested support package with clear recommendations for integrating social prescribing into paediatric diabetes care pathways.

Project 2: Understanding the impact and research priorities of those living with inflammatory peripheral neuropathy. Lead supervisor & contact: Prof Lianne Wood (L.Wood2@exeter.ac.uk). Matched funding from Inflammatory Neuropathies UK Charity.

Peripheral neuropathy affects up to 1% of the global population. Inflammatory neuropathies, including Guillan Barre Syndrome, Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and multifocal motor neuropathy, are a rare subset of peripheral neuropathy, and unlike diabetic peripheral neuropathy, can lead to death or paralysis. Common features are muscle weakness and sensory changes which can impact function and mobility, and may benefit from rehabilitation in community settings.

Once a patient is diagnosed and acute medical management is undertaken, patients may face a long period of recovery. Little is known about the patient’s experience of living with this disease. Further, patients tell us they don’t understand the impact of ageing on symptoms, what factors may trigger recurrence, or the impact or role of conservative management strategies such as maintenance exercise beyond the initial acute transition from secondary to primary care.

This PhD will 1) explore the impact of inflammatory neuropathy on individuals and understand their lived experience; 2) undertake a priority setting exercise of research priorities with patients and carers; 3) explore the role of conservative management as adjunctive treatment.

The PhD funding will be awarded on the basis of academic merit. Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply but should note the following:

·       The award covers only part of the international tuition fee, approximately £27,000.

·       It does not include a stipend for living expenses.

·       International applicants will need to cover additional costs, including:

o   Student visa fees

o   Immigration Health Surcharge

o   Relocation expenses associated with moving to the UK to undertake a PhD.

Applicants should therefore ensure they have sufficient funds to meet these costs before applying.

The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Entry requirements

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate subject area such as health science, biomedical science, social science, psychology, sports science, nursing or allied health disciplines. Ideally, they should also be able to demonstrate experience of, or interest in, primary care research.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information.

How to apply

Apply now

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button above. In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents.

•  CV

•  Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).

•  Research proposal

•  Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)

•  Two references from referees familiar with your academic work. If your referees prefer, they can email the reference direct to PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk quoting the studentship reference number.

•  If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sun 17^th May.  Interviews will be held virtually via Teams in the week commencing 8^th June.

All application documents must be submitted in English. Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided.

Please quote reference 5856 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

Summary