Comparative Cost-Effectiveness of Cardiac Arrest Preparedness versus Universal Cardiac Screening in Youth Sport: A Cross-Border Health Economics Study

Summary

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in young athletes is rare but devastating, and how best to prevent it is a live, unresolved policy question. Two competing strategies are on the table: universal cardiac screening of young athletes to detect underlying conditions before they cause an arrest or investing in defibrillator (AED) availability and CPR training so that when an arrest happens, bystanders can respond effectively.

Neither the Republic of Ireland nor Northern Ireland currently mandates either approach, but that is changing — Ireland's National Screening Advisory Committee has an active 2026 consultation on athlete screening, while international cardiology bodies remain divided on whether legislated screening is the right answer.

This PhD will build the first Ireland/Northern Ireland-specific evidence base to inform that debate. The student will conduct a cross-border survey of AED and CPR-training readiness across amateur sports clubs, and a detailed costing study of cardiac screening delivery through charity and commercial providers — generating and analysing two datasets that do not currently exist anywhere in the published literature.

This analysis will feed directly into a larger research programme building a comparative health economics model of the two prevention strategies, giving the student's work a clear, immediate application beyond the thesis itself.

The student will gain skills in survey design and stratified sampling, quantitative and cost analysis, stakeholder engagement with sporting bodies and charities, and policy-relevant research communication.

This is a rare opportunity for a numerate life sciences graduate to produce foundational research with direct, live relevance to national policy, working closely with a clinical supervisory team and contributing evidence that will shape a wider programme of work on preventing sudden cardiac death in young people.

Specific skills required of the applicant for this project include:

• Strong quantitative and analytical skills
• Survey design experience or clear aptitude for it
• Genuine interest in health policy, sports medicine, or public health
• Some familiarity with costing or economic evaluation is beneficial but not essential, given the PhD's focus on data generation and analysis rather than full decision modelling

Important Information: Applications for more than one PhD studentship are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Medicine, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this 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.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement demonstrating interest in the subject area
• Research proposal of 1500 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain

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.

• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a First Class Honours Degree in a relevant subject area
• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a relevant Masters Degree at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Track record of peer reviewed publications
• Experience of presentation of research findings

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.