Joint NIHR RSS delivered by Newcastle University and Partners and ARC NENC PhD – Optimising the Collection of Research Data in Primary Care Settings

Overview

Newcastle University is offering a PhD studentship co-sponsored by the NIHR Research Support Service North and Partners and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria. The project looks at how research outcome data, particularly trial data, can best be collected in primary care and other out-of-hospital settings. The 10-Year Health Plan promotes a move from hospital to community and from analogue to digital, including the NHS App as a digital front door, which creates openings to collect outcome data more efficiently.

The PhD may include evidence synthesis on how outcome data is currently gathered in primary care trials, focus groups and interviews with stakeholders on the feasibility and acceptability of new approaches, and validation across data sources such as medical records and patient-reported outcomes. It will finish with co-production workshops that produce best practice guidance.

What you get

The award pays 100 percent of home tuition fees, an annual stipend of 21,805 GBP and 15,000 GBP towards research costs. There is one award, starting in January 2027, lasting 3.5 years including a placement of up to three months.

Who can apply

The studentship is available only to those eligible for UK home tuition fees. Applicants need at least an upper second-class honours bachelor's degree and a master's degree in a relevant social or health sciences subject, or equivalent professional experience, plus an interest in or experience of health and social care research.

How to apply

Applications go through the university's online application portal for the full-time PhD in Population Health Sciences with a January 2027 start, quoting the reference ARC6. No full research proposal is needed, but a covering letter and CV linking the applicant's interests and experience to the project can be uploaded.

Key dates

The closing date is 21 October 2026.