PhD Studentship in the male-female survival paradox in longevity

Post Summary

Trinity College Dublin, Ireland has an opportunity for a well-qualified applicant interested in PhD level research on exploring the male-female survival paradox in the The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), under the supervision of Professor Cathal McCrory Life Course Development and Ageing, Co-Principal Investigator TILDA and Regius Professor Rose Anne Kenny, Principal Investigator TILDA.  The fully funded candidate will be a core team member of the TILDA research group which is comprised of researchers, data managers, clinical fellows, students and an administrative team. A tax-free stipend of €25,000 per year is available, and PhD fees are also covered. The research project will also provide adequate funding for equipment, materials and travel (conferences, courses, etc) and is expected to complete in 4 years.

Description of project

On average, women live longer lives than men, but they do so in worse health and with higher levels of morbidity – a phenomenon known as the male-female health-survival paradox1. Even though average human life expectancy has increased over time, historical records indicate that females have lived longer than males since at least the 18th century, even during severe famines and epidemics. Men are significantly more likely to experience a broad range of cardiovascular disease types, while women were at significantly higher risk of developing almost all other diseases, particularly arthritis, osteoporosis, thyroid disorders, and depression. Nevertheless, research on ageing has often neglected sex differences, instead treating this most fundamental of variables as a nuisance parameter to be controlled away in the analysis rather than a substantive research area in its own right.  Understanding how influences at the social, economic, psychological, behavioural, and biological level contribute to sex-differences in health and longevity over the life course is the overarching aim of this project and will help address an identified knowledge gap in the literature.

Indicative research questions are described below but the student will have some flexibility in topics to be addressed. They will be expected to:

NOTE: Applicants must have been resident in an EU member state for 3 out of the last 5 years to be eligible for EU fees

Application Procedure

Applicants should submit a full Curriculum Vitae to include the names and contact details of 2 referees (including email addresses) and a statement of interest, to:

• Name: Professor Cathal McCrory, Professor in Life Course Development and Ageing
• Email Address: [email protected]

At Trinity, we are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Trinity welcomes applications from all individuals, including those applicants with disabilities, those who may have had non-traditional career paths, those who have taken time out for reasons including family or caring responsibilities. We also welcome international applicants including those whom have been displaced due to war.

We are ranked 3rd in the world for gender equality (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2020) and we hold an Athena SWAN Bronze award, recognising our work to advance gender equality. The University is actively pursuing a Silver level award, which it has committed to achieving by 2025. Trinity is committed to supporting the work-life balance and to creating a family-friendly working environment