ARC PhD studentships (part-funded) now available

News
Date published
26/01/2021

NIHR ARC East Midlands is pleased to announce funding for up to 4 doctoral studentships for applied health and social care research.

NIHR ARC EM is an applied research centre working across the East Midlands. Our research aims to improve outcomes for patients and the public and to increase the efficiency, quality, accessibility and sustainability of halth and care services: http://arc-em.nihr.ac.uk/about.'The focus of the PhD should complement the ARC’s portfolio of applied research http://arc-em.nihr.ac.uk/about/our-priorities, and also directly address the NHS long-term plan (https://www.longtermplan.nhs.uk/). 

PhDs can be hosted at any of the 8 East Midlands’ universities (de Montfort, Nottingham Trent, Northampton, Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Lincoln and Loughborough). 

These studentships are offered on a co-funding principle. ARC will fund 50% of an UKR&I level studentship for Home / EU students, with the requirement that the other 50% is contributed by HEI, NHS, social care, charity, industry or other partners: https://www.ukri.org/skills/funding-for-research-training/. International students are eligible to apply, but will need to evidence how the shortfall in fees and living expenses will be covered. 

Awards will be made for 3 years (full time registration) or 6 years (part time status). For full time students, in 2021/22, ARC expects to award a tax-free stipend in the region of £7,804 per annum, and £2,250 towards registration fees which will be received by the university. Part-time awards will be pro rata these amounts. Applicants must evidence how at least the same amount of funding will be contributed to the studentship. Please note, there are no further funds to cover research or other non-pay costs; these should be covered by the host HEI.

Clinical academics (working in the East Midlands) wishing to pursue a PhD are welcome to apply, although would also need to evidence agreement to release from clinical time in order to conduct the PhD. 

Eligibility:

Applicants must have:

  • A UK undergraduate (Bachelors) degree with at least first class or upper second class honours, or an equivalent qualification from a recognised overseas institution.
  • A Masters degree may be required for entry into some PhD programmes; please check with the university that you wish to register your PhD with.

Academic supervisory teams (minimum of 2 academics) should be identified by applicants prior to submission. Academic supervisors should either have links to the ARC, or should apply to become a faculty member prior to your application being submitted: http://arc-em.nihr.ac.uk/about/arc-faculty. Clinical academic applicants should also outline who will act as their clinical academic mentor. 

How to apply:

Applicants will need to submit a completed application form (found here: http://arc-em.nihr.ac.uk/resources/phd-studentship-application-form-2021), which includes:

  • A personal statement demonstrating how their experience to date prepares them to undertake doctoral level research, and confirming which East Midlands’ university they wish to study at;
  • A research proposal (maximum of 2000 words) that explicitly addresses the work they would carry out, detailing how it is linked to the ARC’s programme of work; 
  • Names and contact details of proposed supervisors.

Applicants will also need to provide:

  • 2 full references, not contact details;
  • Evidence from an East Midlands University that they have agreed to host your PhD if you are awarded a studentship; 
  • PDF copies of your degree certificates and transcripts, and professional registration details;
  • Evidence of English Language proficiency if your first language is not English.

Applications should be submitted, along with the requested supporting evidence to Alice.Phillips@nottingham.ac.uk with 'ARC PhD studentship 2021' in the topic line. 

Deadline for applications: 23.59 on 20/04/2021. Applications received after this date will not be reviewed for shortlisting.

Applicants shortlisted will be invited to participate in online interviews held w/c 24/05/21 and should expect to give a short (5 minute) presentation of their proposed research. 

All enquiries to be address to the ARC’s Training Lead, Dr Emma Rowley: Emma.Rowley@nottingham.ac.uk