PhD Studentship - Addressing Challenges in Investigating Causal Relationships Between Environment and Healthy Ageing

Award Summary

100% home tuition fees paid and annual living expenses at UKRI rate, currently £16,062 per year. A research training support grant of £5,000 per year is available to cover research costs (e.g. data costs) and local/national/international travel (e.g. conferences).

Overview

This project will focus on investigating the environmental impact on disability and health conditions in older people and addressing methodological challenges related to quantitative analysis. Based on the WHO , the concept of ‘healthy ageing’ is defined as ‘the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age’. This is made up of the interaction between intrinsic capacity, which combines all the individual’s physical and mental conditions, and the environment, which form the context of an individual’s life. To investigate how the environment can support healthy ageing, recent epidemiological research has highlighted the potential for integrating geospatial data (e.g., green spaces, land use mix, local services) and ageing cohorts and investigating the relationships between a wide range of environmental factors and health conditions in older people. However, there are many methodological challenges in quantifying the complex impact of environmental factors on disability and health in older age. To enhance quantitative evidence and inform policies and practices related to age-friendly environments, it is essential to address multiple issues in statistical (longitudinal analysis, measurement errors), epidemiological (confounding effects, selection bias, unit interference) and ageing research (loss to follow-up, relocation, mortality). The student will utilise existing environmental data and cohort studies and choose to investigate some of these issues based on their interests. The student will be involved in the impact of the Environment and Pollution on Cognitive Health (EPOCH): Building the knowledge base through international collaboration project, a UK-Australia collaborative project focusing on the complex relationships between the built environment, air pollution and cognitive health in later life.

Number of awards: 1

Start date: 19 September 2022.

Award duration: 3 years.

Sponsor: Newcastle University

Supervisors:

Dr. Yu-Tzu Wu, Dr. Andrew Kingston (Population Health Sciences institute)

Eligibility criteria

Applicants are expected to have at least a 2:1 degree in statistics, epidemiology, public health, data sciences or related field with a strong component of quantitative analysis. A Masters degree (Merit or above) in a relevant subject is desirable but not essential. If your first language is not English you need an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (at least 5.5 in all sub-skills) or equivalent language qualification.

How to apply

You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system  by creating an account.

All relevant fields should be completed, but fields marked with a red asterisk must be completed. The following information will help us to process your application:

• Click on programme of study
• Insert 8300F in programme code section. Click search
• Select Programme name 'PhD in Faculty of Medical Sciences(full time) - Health Services Research'
• Insert PH032 in the studentship/partnership reference field
• Attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship. Please quote reference code PH032 and state how your interests and experience relate to the proposed project.
• Attach degree transcripts* and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualification.
• Non-UK candidates must  contact [email protected]  regarding eligibility for home fees.

*You will not be able to submit your application until degree transcript/s have been submitted.

Contact details

Yu-Tzu Wu ([email protected] )