PhD Study : Establishment of the Northern Ireland Female Teen and Youth Health Behaviours and Outcomes (NIFTY Health) Longitudinal Study

Summary

For children and adolescents, national and international guidelines recommend at least 60 minutes per day of physical activity and a reduction of sedentary behaviour to achieve and maintain physical and mental health and wellbeing. The recently published 2022 Ireland North and South Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Adolescents has demonstrated gender differences in meeting those physical activity guidelines with fewer girls meeting these recommendations. Failure to meet recommended volume and intensity of physical activity can increase risk of poor physical and mental health for adolescents into adulthood including increased risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, depression, and anxiety. With women accounting for a greater percentage of community health, primary care and mental healthcare visits, early intervention is vital to address gender disparities in modifiable health behaviours, such as physical activity levels, to decrease the risk of future poor health and reduce potential burden on healthcare systems. Currently no longitudinal studies of adolescent female physical activity, sedentary behaviour, health, and wellbeing have been established in Northern Ireland.

The primary aim of this PhD programme of research is to establish a dynamic longitudinal data set for adolescent female health behaviours and outcomes in Northern Ireland, as a baseline data set for future studies on the long-term impact of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and other health behaviours on physical and mental health outcomes into early adulthood. We anticipate that studies within this programme of work will aim to define the content priorities and data collection parameters for the data set, and develop a pilot data collection tool for adolescent female health behaviours and outcomes in Northern Ireland.

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 65%
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications - peer-reviewed

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living