PhD Project Proposal: Optimising outcomes and experience for patients with a brain injury following cardiac arrest

Key information

Start date: 2 March 2026
Duration: 4 years of registration, 3 years of stipend
Academic entry requirements: at least a high 2.1 bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, or on track to be awarded such a degree before 1 March 2026
Eligibility: the studentship is open to home/UK candidates

Deadline for applications: 30 November 2025

About the project

Background

This PhD will explore opportunities to optimise the outcomes and experiences for patients that sustain a brain injury following cardiac arrest. The planned project will incorporate both qualitative and quantitative work, and use findings to develop actionable recommendations for clinical practice and research.

Aims & Methodology

The research will consist of three interlinked studies:

1. Scoping review- this scoping review will map current research on pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies for the prevention and treatment of post-arrest brain injury at different stages of the care pathway (during cardiac arrest, pre-hospital/ emergency department, intensive care unit, acute hospital, community).
2. Data linkage study using the Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest registry and Intensive Care Network Audit and Research Centre Case-Mix Programme- Data linkage will enable the analysis of granular clinical data from the point of cardiac arrest through to discharge from critical care. The study will describe the cohort of patients that receive treatment on a UK Intensive Care Unit following cardiac arrest and will explore variability in patient-mix and treatment across intensive care units, including the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment.
3. Experiences of family members and clinicians following cardiac arrest- this work package will explore the experiences of family members and clinicians involved in the treatment of patients following cardiac arrest, particularly in relation to the communication of prognostic uncertainty.

Impact

This mixed-methods research project will provide key new insights into the care and treatment of individuals with a brain injury following cardiac arrest in the UK. The student will work with key stakeholder charities to develop actionable recommendations for clinical practice and research.

PhD project summary

Applications are invited for a fully-funded PhD (fees + stipend) to begin March 2026 on a research project exploring opportunities to optimise the outcomes and experiences for patients that sustain a brain injury following cardiac arrest. The successful candidate will be based at University of Warwick within the Emergency, Prehospital, Perioperative and Critical Care research group (https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/research/ctu/themes/eppic/).

Project description:

Each year in the UK, around 40,000 adults have a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital. Paramedics are able to restart the heart in about 30% patients, but about two-thirds of these initial survivors will die before hospital discharge. The most common cause of death in these patients is a hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury sustained during the cardiac arrest. Even in patients that do survive to leave hospital, many will experience ongoing neurological sequalae. A key issue for both family members and clinicians during the intensive care unit stay is prognostic uncertainty regarding the likely clinical outcome, and aligning this with the patient’s known individual goals and preferences.

This fully-funded PhD will aim to explore opportunities to optimise the outcomes and experiences for patients that sustain a brain injury following cardiac arrest.

With your application, please provide a two-page project proposal for the PhD, outlining a plan for your PhD research within this area. Within the two-page proposal, please include a 250 work lay-summary suitable for members of the public, explaining the purpose and value of the research.

The candidate:

The successful applicant will use a mixed-methods approach to the research. They will conduct a scoping review, undertake semi-structured interviews with key groups, and, following data linkage, use advanced statistical methods to explore variability in treatment. They will undertake work with stakeholders to develop their research and ensure it is meaningful and impactful. They will communicate with these stakeholders to ensure effective dissemination of the work. The successful applicant will join a team of post-doctoral researchers, PhD students, and undergraduate students at the University of Warwick and work closely with key researchers and organisations linked to resuscitation research, within the University of Warwick, across the UK, and internationally.

Required

• At least a high 2.1 bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, or on track to be awarded such a degree before March 1st 2026
• At least a high 2.1 grade in a research-based dissertation conducted as part of an undergraduate degree, or equivalent research experience (e.g. through volunteering with a research team)
• A strong interest in research and a high level of motivation to develop research ideas
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills
• Some knowledge of statistics and a willingness to learn more advanced methods
• Some knowledge of qualitative methods and a willingness to learn more
• English language proficiency
• Ability to work independently when required but to seek supervision appropriately
• An understanding of how to work with stakeholder organisations to plan, develop or conduct useful research and demonstration of the skills necessary to do this well

Desirable (but not essential):

• A first class bachelor’s degree from a research intensive University
• A Master’s (with at least Merit) in a relevant discipline
• Experience of conducting research with individuals from vulnerable populations and/or their families
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Evidence of being able to disseminate research findings (e.g. via a seminar or conference presentation, or a journal publication)
  
  

Application procedure:
Prospective candidates are required to follow University of Warwick guidance. In order for the application to be processed, candidates should submit the research proposal as outlined above, CV, 2 references, and transcript of grades using the online portal: Applying for Postgraduate Study at Warwick.

Further Information:
Please contact Professor Keith Couper (k.couper@warwick.ac.uk) for further information and informal enquiries.

Funding notes:

This award, funded by University of Warwick, provides annual funding to cover UK tuition fees, a tax-free stipend and a one-off research training grant of up to £5,000. The funding is provided as contribution to the Midlands Mental Health and Neuroscience PhD Programme for Healthcare Professionals.

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit for 3 years of full-time study to commence on 2 March 2026.