Director of Studies (DoS):
Dr Nicola Brennan
Second Supervisor: Dr Jason Hancock
Third Supervisor:
Dr Ellie Reynolds
Second Supervisor: Dr Jason Hancock
Third Supervisor:
The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South West is inviting applications for a PhD studentship, funded by an ARC South West Doctoral Award, to commence on 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least 拢21,805 for 3 years full-time. We welcome applicants who wish to study less than full-time, provided they are intending to complete their studies within the ARC funding period. The student would be based at the 麻豆破解版. A training and development budget will also be provided to support the activity of the student.
Project description
Doctors need to perform well to provide safe and quality care for patients. However, around 6-12% of doctors experience performance difficulties at any given time. These difficulties can happen at any point in a doctor鈥檚 career and can have many causes. Whatever the cause, it is important that problems are identified early and that doctors receive appropriate support when needed. Professional support services are available to help doctors who are struggling.
While professional support services are important for all doctors, they are especially important for psychiatrists. Psychiatrists face particular challenges, including working closely with people who have experienced severe and life-changing trauma, such as abuse, violence, or attempted or completed suicide. Research shows that burnout rates among psychiatrists are high. Psychiatry has a much higher rate of referrals to professional support services for performance concerns compared with other medical specialties. When support is not accessed in time, problems can worsen and may lead to doctors leaving the workforce. It is essential that professional support services work well to help psychiatrists address difficulties and support them to remain in the workforce.
The effectiveness of the services depend on context e.g. the setting, who delivers them, and how they are delivered. A recent NIHR-funded study explored how professional support works for doctors by interviewing doctors and professional support staff. However, this research focused on doctors in general, and only two of the participants were psychiatrists. We believe that psychiatrists work in specific contexts that need to be better understood if support services are to be effective.
Objectives
- To conduct a literature review to identify gaps, inform research design and situate research in broader literature.
- To use a realist approach to conduct semi-structured interviews to develop a programme theory to ascertain why, how, in what contexts, for whom and to what extent do professional support programmes for psychiatrists produce their effects.
- To develop recommendations for the tailoring of professional support programmes for psychiatrists.
If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr Nicola Brennan. Queries about the award itself can be directed to arcsouthwest@exeter.ac.uk.
Funding
The studentship is supported for 3 years and includes full Home tuition fees plus a stipend of 拢21,805 per annum 2026/27 rate. We welcome applicants who wish to study less than full-time, provided they are intending to complete their studies within the ARC funding period (excluding Student visa holders who are required to study full-time to meet UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) sponsorship guidelines).
The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for Home fees with relevant qualifications. Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee per annum.
There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights etc.
Doctoral Award Person Specification
Essential
- Hold a 1st or 2:1 bachelor鈥檚 degree, or equivalent If not, you will usually need to have a relevant Master鈥檚 degree
- Have prior research experience or training to prepare for a PhD
- Not already hold a relevant PhD or equivalent
- Show strong academic and professional skills needed to complete a PhD
- If you're including a clinical or practice element, show a commitment to a career as a practitioner academic.
Desirable
- Demonstrate originality and independent critical thinking in proposing research with real-world benefits for patients, the public, and the health and social care system
- Knowledge of the priorities in the area of research interest
- Demonstrate an alignment with NIHR strategic priorities, where applicable.
Successful applicants will become members of the NIHR Academy, and further information about this can be found on the .
There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights etc.
How to apply
To apply, please select the 鈥極nline application鈥 link in the Apply box above. Please include the following documents with your application
- CV / r茅sum茅.
- Personal Statement (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).
- Degree certificates and transcripts (please provide interim transcript if you are still studying).
- Contact information for two referees familiar with your academic work.
- If relevant, proof of English Language Competency (Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language with an IELTS Academic of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or equivalent).
NIHR are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in everything we do. Diverse people and communities shape our research, and we strive to make opportunities to participate in research an integral part of everyone鈥檚 experience of health and social care services. We develop researchers from multiple disciplines, specialisms, geographies and backgrounds, and work to address barriers to career progression arising from characteristics such as sex, race or disability. Please let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments made to the application process and we will be happy to explore whether this is possible.
Potential applicants working in community, social care and public health are welcome to contact us to explore their suitability.
Please view a list of
supporting documents to upload with your application.
For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our
how to apply for a research degree webpage or contact the Doctoral College at research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
The closing date for application is 21 July 2026.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview the week beginning 17 August. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.