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NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) West Midlands

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NIHR ARC West Midlands logo

The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) West Midlands is a five-year initiative (2019-2024) funded by the National Institute of Health Research with matched funds provided by local health and social services. Our mission is to create lasting and effective partnerships across health and social care organisations, and universities (Birmingham, Keele and Warwick) in order to improve care services across the West Midlands. Our work builds on research conducted by both the NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) for West Midlands and the CLAHRC Birmingham and Black Country pilot.

We are one of 15 ARCs across England, part of a £135 million investment by the NIHR to improve the health and care of patients and the public.

ARC West Midlands Research themes

Medical practitioner in discussion with patient

1. Long term conditions

Medical practitoner with patient

2. Acute care interfaces

Youth counselling session

3. Integrated care in youth mental health

Maternity health care

4. Maternity services

Our research is underpinned by these four cross-cutting themes

Organisational science, planning meeting

5. Organisational science

Public Health - meeting between three people in face masks

7. Public health

Research methodology and informatics

6. Research methodology and informatics

Social Care - two people talking, one in a wheelchair, one crouching down

8. Social care

Latest news

PhD Studentship at Warwick Medical School

NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands

A fully funded, full time, three-year PhD studentship is available in Warwick Medical School, to commence as soon as possible in 2021. The studentship includes fees and monthly stipend based on the Research Councils recommended rate – for details see: https://www.ukri.org/skills/funding-for-research-training/ . The studentship is part of the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (ARC WM). ARC WM is a £9 million, five-year initiative which started in October 2019. We have a mission to create lasting and effective collaborations across health and social care organisations, universities and local authorities by using research to improve the services we deliver across the West Midlands and further afield. The increasing demand for social care and the vital role of public health are key to many of the ARC’s projects as we search for the best and most effective ways to maintain the health and independence of our/the population.

The student will be based in one of the ARC WM’s themes, which are described on the website: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/about/centres/arc-wm/

Applications for these studentship are invited, focusing on one of the following topics:

1. The challenges facing small-medium organisations in supporting health and wellbeing initiatives in the workplace?

2. How can knowledge needed to evaluate health technologies be produced, exchanged and applied in politically changing environments?

3. What has been the uptake, use and impact of HTA research evidence disseminated by the NICE Technology Appraisal programme from 2012 to 2017?

4. How can co-production be implemented in the ARC WM as a test bed for the wider NIHR? How can co-production be operationalised?

5. How can we best monitor heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels in ‘hospital at home’ care models? Which remote monitoring systems are acceptable for patients, carers and clinical teams?

Entry Requirements:

The studentship is available to support any student up to a stipend of £15,374 pa and fees equivalent to a value of £4,345 pa. Applicants should have a strong first degree (2:1 or above) or international equivalent in a relevant subject (refer to the equivalent scores table to map an international degree onto the British system). Previous research experience is an advantage.

Contact details for two academic referees should be provided. Professional references provided by your current or most recent line manager are acceptable if you have been out of higher education for over two years.

International applicants not educated in English will be expected to obtain one of the recognised English Language qualifications with a specific score, as listed at the following link: https://warwick.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/english/

The English language requirement for PhD in Medical Sciences, MSc by Research Medical Sciences, PhD in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research and PhD in Molecular Biomedicine is Band A.

The English language requirement for all other research degrees is Band B.

If you have any queries about the entry requirements, please contact wms.rdcoord@warwick.ac.uk.

How to Apply:

If you would like to apply, please email:

· Your CV (including two academic references as above)

· A covering letter outlining:

- why you are interested in doing a PhD with ARC WM

- which topic you are applying for and why you have chosen it

- which (if any) of the other advertised PhD topics you would also be interested in.

· A short proposal (500 words) for your first choice topic showing how it aligns with the ARC WM mission and activities. The proposal should encompass an outline for your proposed research design, and its potential contribution to practice and impact in the Health and Social Care services.

Send your CV, covering letter and proposal to: ARCWM@warwick.ac.uk.

Applications must be made by midday on 27th November 2020. Interviews (online) will take place on 17th December 2020.

Please note that applications and supporting documents will be sent to all members of the interview panel. Applications and supporting documents will not be used for any other purpose and will be deleted after the recruitment process has completed.