PhD Studentship

Dean’s PhD Studentship in Sedentary Behaviour and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Individuals with a Spinal Cord Injury

The Centre for Physical Activity in Health and Disease at Brunel University London is offering a fully funded PhD studentship to investigate the effects of sedentary behaviour interventions on cardiovascular disease risk in individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Many individuals with SCI are dependent on a wheelchair, which leads to major challenges engaging in physical activity and avoiding sedentary behaviour. This may explain why cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in individuals with SCI. This PhD will investigate the effects of interventions on sedentary behaviour and CVD biomarkers in individuals with SCI.

Based in and funded by the College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, this studentship offers a full-time annual London rate stipend of £19,668 (including London weighting) plus Home/EU tuition fees, for a maximum of 36 months.

The start date will be 1 January 2023.

Overview
The PhD studentship will involve systematically reviewing evidence investigating the effects of interventions on sedentary behaviour and CVD biomarkers in adults with SCI, and involving people with SCI and health professionals in the development of an intervention to reduce and break up sedentary behaviour. This will lead to testing the intervention to evaluate how it may affect CVD biomarkers.

The successful candidate will be supervised by an expert interdisciplinary team of researchers and clinicians who will provide full training for the research.

For informal discussions, please contact Daniel Bailey on daniel.bailey@brunel.ac.uk .

Eligibility
Candidates should have an undergraduate degree (first or upper second class) or equivalent qualification in either physiotherapy, sport and exercise sciences, biosciences or a related field. A Masters qualification in a relevant area would be desirable. Experience in quantitative and/or qualitative research in areas relating to physical activity, sedentary behaviour, physiotherapy and/or clinical populations is essential. Desirable criteria include HCPC registration, REPs Level 3 or 4 and/or experience working with similar groups. Applicants who have not been awarded a degree by a University in the UK will be expected to demonstrate English language skills to IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in any section).

How to Apply
If you wish to apply, please e-mail the following to chmls-pgr-officestaff@brunel.ac.uk by 31 October 2022:

• An up-to-date CV.
• A single-page A4 single-spaced personal statement describing why you are a suitable candidate (i.e. outlining your qualifications and skills).
• One example of your academic writing (e.g. an essay, a section from a dissertation).
• A summary of your teaching experience or your willingness to support teaching activities.
• Names and contact details for two academic referees.
• A copy of your highest degree certificate and transcript.
• A copy of your English language qualification, where applicable.

Short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview week commencing 14th November 2022. Shortlisted applicants will be instructed to submit a formal online application via Admissions.

For further information about how to apply, please contact the College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences Postgraduate Research Office on chmls-pgr-officestaff@brunel.ac.uk .