Public Health PhD Scholarship

Full time PhD Studentship in Pain Research

Birmingham City University - Faculty of Health, Graduate School

The Faculty invites applications for a studentship leading to the degree of PhD (directly or via MPhil) in aspects of pain neurophysiology. Applicants should have or expect a first class or upper second class honours degree in a related subject or hold an MSc in a relevant discipline. 

This studentship will undertake collaborative research between the NHS regional pain unit at Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley and the Graduate School at BCU Faculty of Health investigating psychometric measurement in a long term outcomes study of spinal cord stimulation. This project would be suitable for a graduate in psychology, biomedical sciences, clinical sciences or medicine.

Funding is for three years and includes a subsistence grant of £13,290 per annum with University fees of £3,466 paid for UK/EU students. Applications from candidates outside of the EU will incur higher University fees which will reduce the subsistence grant. Students should be available to enrol in September 2011.

Support is provided through and there is an expectation in the early stages to support the learning of experimental and therapeutic techniques. The students are also supported by access to the multidisciplinary clinic team providing these specialised clinical therapies.

The team has a track record of regular peer-reviewed publications and research grant awards and past students have been invited to present their work at national and international meetings.

Pain Research The Pain Research Unit at Graduate School Faculty of Health Birmingham City University has a research interest in clinical pain with projects in pain measurement, psychology, neuromodulation and neurophysiology. There are currently six full-time PhD students undertaking various studies related to chronic pain and a post-doctoral researcher. Office space and computing are available at the research site. Equipment includes quantitative sensory testing, accelerometry and contact heat evoked potential linked to electroencephalography.

The clinical pain unit at Russells Hall Hospital is a nationally recognised centre. Over 1,000 new patients are treated per year with a range of therapies including a regional service for cognitive behavioural therapy and supraregional services for spinal cord stimulation, intrathecal therapy. A multidisciplinary team of psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses and doctors provide this service and several undertake clinical research supported by a part-time research nurse and NIHR research grants.

How to applyApplicants should hold or expect to hold a first or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject as guided above.

Information on the Faculty of Health's Centre for Health and Social Care Research and Graduate School can be found via www.bcu.ac.uk/health/research

Applicants can download the Research Degree application form:www.bcu.ac.uk/docs/downloads/misc/research/BCU%20%20Research%20App%20Form.pdf or emailsue.clarke@bcu.ac.uk for an application form.

The completed Research Degree Application form and a CV should be sent to Mrs Sue Clarke, Research Administrator, Graduate School Administrator, Birmingham City University, Room 224, Ravensbury House, Westbourne Road Campus, Birmingham B15 3TN. sue.clarke@bcu.ac.uk  Tel 0121 331 6124.

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the following for informal discussion: Prof Jon Raphael (Russells Hall Hospital) via his PA on Julie.Emms@dgoh.nhs.uk or 01384 244809 or Prof. Robert Ashford onRobert.Ashford@bcu.ac.uk or 0121 331 6183.

The closing date for applications is 9 am Thursday 23 June 2011.  
Interview date: Monday 25 July 2011.