Evaluating an AI Enabled Screening Tool for Women Living With Diabetes During Menopause

Summary

Menopause can bring significant physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. For women living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, fluctuating hormones can make blood sugar levels unpredictable, intensifying symptoms and complicating daily self management (Black et al. 2026; Thurston et al., 2025). Despite this, menopause is rarely integrated into routine diabetes care. A recent UK survey of 640 women found that 68% felt unprepared for menopause, 73% struggled to find help, and 62% reported that no healthcare professional had ever raised the topic.

This PhD project aims to address this gap by developing and evaluating an AI enabled screening tool designed specifically for women living with diabetes during menopause. Building on the newly developed Coates Ulster Perimenopause in Diabetes Scale (CUPIDs), the project will embed the instrument within a conversational AI chatbot to provide accessible, personalised symptom screening and signposting.

The research will unfold across three phases:

1. Developing and testing the chatbot, comparing AI mediated and paper based delivery to assess scientific accuracy and reliability.

2. Exploring women’s experiences, focusing on usability, trust, comfort, and acceptability of AI based screening.

3. Working with healthcare professionals and community partners to co design practical triage pathways that integrate menopause and diabetes care.

This project is ideal for applicants interested in digital health, women’s health, AI enabled innovation, and applied health psychology. The successful candidate will gain experience in psychometrics, qualitative research, digital design, and stakeholder engagement, contributing to a rapidly growing area of health research.

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.

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.

• International applicants should hold, or expect to hold a relevant Masters Degree at a level equivalent to a distinction at Ulster
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience or knowledge of research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Track record of peer reviewed publications
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• Relevant professional qualification

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

PhD scholarships are available for this project to all applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile, and will cover:

• Tuition fees.
• A maintenance allowance of approximately £22,000 (exact rate is to be confirmed) per annum for three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
• A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum.

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, funded from any source, including self-financing students, are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Students in full-time employment are not eligible for an award.

Part-time PhD scholarships may be available at a 0.5 pro rata rate of the full-time scholarship, which would require a six-year registration period.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

The University will award a successful candidate one of the following scholarships for the project, depending on the funding available at the time an admissions offer is made:

1. Department for the Economy (DfE) PhD Scholarships
2. Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS)

Please note that the Terms and Conditions for scholarships are subject to change for 2027/28.