Assessing the impact of steroids in children and young people with rheumatic conditions

An exciting opportunity to apply for a fully funded PhD position in the College of Health, Science and Society, UWE Bristol.

Ref: 2425-OCT-CHSS4

The expected start date of these studentships is Tuesday 1 October 2024.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 15 May 2024.

Glucocorticoids (GC), also known as Steroids, can be organ and life-saving in the treatment of inflammatory conditions. They can however impact health-related quality of life. In children, GCs can impact mental health, and participation in school, hobbies, and family life.

The Steroid PRO is a patient reported outcome (PRO) measure, developed by researchers at UWE Bristol and the University of Oxford to measure the impact of steroids on adult patients’ health related quality of life. The Steroid PRO has been validated for use as an outcome measure in clinical trials and in clinical practice to aid shared decision making by highlighting the patient perspective on the impact of Steroids.

We are now collaborating with researchers from Alder Hey, at the University of Liverpool, to offer this PhD studentship to explore the development of a paediatric and young people versions of the Steroid PRO. The PhD studentship will develop the applicant’s knowledge and expertise in the methodological approach to the development of PROs, particularly within the paediatric population, and include qualitative and quantitative approaches (underpinning qualitative interviews or focus groups, cognitive interviewing, Rasch Analysis and Factor Analysis).

For an informal discussion about the studentship, please email Dr Jo Robson, Associate Professor in Rheumatology: Jo.robson@uwe.ac.uk.

The studentship is available from 01 October 2024 for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory progress and includes a tax exempt stipend, which is currently £18,622 (2023/24) per annum.

Applicants must have a master's degree and a bachelor's degree at 2:1 or above.

Ideally, they would have experience of qualitative and quantitative research methods applied in health or psychology research.

Please submit your application online.

Please include a cover letter with your application.

When prompted use the reference number: 2425-OCT-CHSS4

Supporting documentation

You will need to upload your covering letter, all your degree certificates and transcripts and a recognised English language qualification is required.

References

You will need to provide details of two referees as part of your application.

The closing date for applications is 15 May 2024.

It is expected that interviews will take place on weeks commencing 17 June 2024.

If you have not heard from us by 31 May 2024 we thank you for your application but on this occasion you have not been successful.