FLOURISH-Meno: Facilitating Lifestyle Optimisation Using Research-informed behaviour-change strategies to improve Symptoms, Health and wellbeing in Menopause.

Summary

Menopause is a natural developmental phase in a woman’s life characterised by cessation of menses due to ovarian failure and occurs around the age of 51 years in the UK. Up to 90% of women experience menopausal symptoms, the most common of which include hot flushes and night sweats. Symptoms typically last for >7 years with 25% of women experiencing severe and debilitating symptoms, thus the health and quality of life of women during the menopausal transition can be substantially affected.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends informed choice about diet and lifestyle as part of menopause management. Sparse education on menopause for women and health care practitioners, and issues with access to healthcare, leave women unprepared and often disappointed with support provided. Alarmingly 1 in 10 women have left their jobs because of menopausal symptoms, and lack of understanding in the workplace.

Interventions, specifically designed for and by women at midlife, that promote self-management of menopausal symptoms are needed. Theory driven Interventions are more effective; therefore, this project will employ the COM-B model and the Behaviour change wheel, widely used in health intervention design.

This project will employ mixed methods to design, implement and evaluate and co-produce a menopause toolkit to improve health, well-being and self-management of the menopausal transition.  A systematic review will be undertaken to evaluate lifestyle interventions designed for menopause and identify components that bring about behaviour change to enhance health.

A qualitative study, based on the COM-B model, will determine facilitators and barriers to the use of a menopause toolkit to aid self-management. This research will feed into the design, implementation and evaluation of a co-produced menopause toolkit to promote better self-management of menopause.

Knowledge of health psychology would be beneficial given the nature of this PhD Knowledge of theories of behaviour change and their implementation. Experience of both qualitative and quantitative methods, specifically mixed methods combined in research. Public health or health promotion experience – optional Experience of working in menopause - optional

Please note: Applicants with a 2:1 degree in Psychology (or close to completion) are encouraged to apply

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.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement demonstrating interest in the subject area
• Evidence of academic writing skills (a short sample of academic written work of the applicant's choosing (Max 3 pages, A4, font 11)) – please upload in the section entitled Research Proposal
• 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
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• A demonstrable interest in or experience of using Open Science methods

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 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.

To be eligible for these scholarships applicants must: be a UK or Irish national; or have pre-settled or settled status; or have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

Applicants should also meet the residency criteria which requires that they have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the three years preceding the start date of the research degree programme i.e. September 2027.

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.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

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.

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.