PhD Studentship: Safer Organisations in Patient Safety Research.

About us

This PhD Studentship is based within the Centre for Perioperative Medicine (CPOM) of the Research Department for Targeted Intervention (RDTI), Division of Surgery and Interventional Science (DSIS), UCL.

DSIS is a collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment where clinicians, scientists, engineers, and allied health professionals constantly strive for innovative approaches to treatment and evaluation. Our research spans the full translational pathway, which is reflected in the multidisciplinary nature of our team. Our aim is to improve patient and population health, and the delivery and quality of healthcare. We achieve this through improving our understanding of the biological, psychological and social determinants of health and clinical outcomes, and through the development, implementation, and evaluation of novel interventions.

DSIS spans 3 major research departments: Targeted Intervention (Bloomsbury), Surgical Biotechnology (Royal Free), and Orthopaedics & Musculoskeletal Science (Stanmore).

RDTI is led by Prof Ramani Moonesinghe, who is also head of CPOM and the Central London NIHR Patient Safety Research Collaboration (CL-PSRC). RDTI is host to seven thriving research groups including CPOM, and including researchers from diverse backgrounds including clinicians and career scientists, lab researchers, clinical triallists, qualitative and quantitative scientists, and other health services researchers.

CL-PSRC is academically based within CPOM, and is a new endeavour funded for 5 years in the first instance. This PhD post is one of five funded by the PSRC which will start in the 23/24 academic year. The CL-PSRC focuses on patient safety challenges in surgical, perioperative, acute, and critical care, taking a pathway-based approach which will also therefore encompass primary and community care. Patient and public involvement is at the heart of our research activities, and we have a strong commitment both to the 'levelling up' agenda in terms of research outputs, and also ensuring that our staff and our research reflect the diversity of our population, and the patients that the NHS serves. The PSRC is organized into themes of activity, each with its own leads and research projects. It is home to a career development academy, supporting PhD students including the postholder, postdoctoral, and mid-career researchers, from both clinical and non-clinical backgrounds.

The postholder will also be part of the Rapid Research Evaluation and Appraisal Lab (RREAL), based within RDTI. RREAL was founded by its current Director, Prof Cecilia Vindrola. The purpose of RREAL is to improve the quality and impact of rapid research used to study and evaluate clinical and health service models and interventions for time-sensitive contexts. Projects at RREAL are organized according to 3 main workstreams:

1. RREAL training and development programme: a training programme for academic researchers, healthcare professionals, and other practitioners and develop a virtual learning community for alumni.
2. Advisory role in rapid research, evaluation, and appraisal methods (REAM): RREAL provides guidance and supervision in the use of rapid research approaches through collaborations in grant applications or in the form of consultancies.
3. The design and implementation of research using existing and new REAMs.

The Division holds a Silver award for the Athena Swan Charter, which recognizes advancement of gender equality and aims for representation, progression, and success for all. Further information on the Division can be found at https://www.ucl.ac.uk/surgery/

About the role

We seek an outstanding early career researcher or clinician to be appointed to a 3-year PhD studentship to collaborate on a series of projects on organisational learning in the context of patient safety. The PhD student will contribute to an existing portfolio of research on patient safety and organisational learning, with a focus on the role of patients in the delivery of safe care and the implementation of Martha's Rule across the NHS. This studentship is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and supported by the NIHR Central London Patient Safety Research Collaboration. The successful candidate will be registered for their PhD at University College London (UCL), in the Research Department of Targeted Intervention, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science.

About you

Candidates will have a first degree (medical science, midwifery, nursing, pharmacy, allied health profession, public health, epidemiology, social science or equivalent discipline/experience) and some research experience, even if only short-term. They will ideally either have some experience of working in complex healthcare systems, and/or some experience of digital analytics, sociology, or innovation. Experience in contributing to research reports, publications, or research dissertations is required.

Skilled in managing projects, meeting tight deadlines, and solving problems effectively, with the ability to work independently or collaboratively. Experienced in writing clear research reports and engaging with diverse stakeholders. Proficient in Microsoft Office and data management, with a commitment to developing new techniques and projects.

Dedicated to learning practical techniques and applying them with a commitment to ethical and professional standards. Highly organized, proactive, and skilled at prioritizing tasks. Demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous professional development and actively contributes to the research environment.

Duties and responsibilities

1. To take responsibility for carrying out day-to-day research using established research methods and techniques within the framework of the research programme as directed.
2. To contribute to the development/optimisation of novel methods and techniques for the successful progression of the project.
3. To run regular meetings with the supervisory team and other stakeholders.
4. To contribute to the production of research reports, publications, and accessible dissemination materials.
5. To liaise with other organisations and researchers related to the projects.
6. To ensure that responsibilities identified within internal processes such as Health and Safety guidelines etc. are robustly met.
7. To undertake any other duties relevant to the programme of research.

The duties of the role outlined above are not exhaustive, and the PhD student will be expected to be co-operative and flexible, undertaking such other duties as may from time to time be reasonably expected of a member of the University. They will be expected to meet UCL's expectations of core behaviours as outlined in https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/policies-advice/core-behaviours-framework including actively following and promoting UCL policies relating to Equal Opportunities, Equality and maintaining an awareness and observation of fire and health and safety regulations.

The PhD student will also have a responsibility to carry out their duties in a resource-efficient way and actively support UCL's Sustainability Strategy, policies, and objectives, within the remit of their role. As departmental circumstances, demands, and requirements change so duties and responsibilities may change, and the role description and associated responsibilities will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the post-holder.

What we offer

You will receive a starting stipend of £21,237 per annum as well as the cost of tuition fees for UK students. The stipends awarded to PhD students are tax-free and incur no income tax or national insurance contributions. The amount received increases each year over the duration. A full studentship is available for home fee payers only. UCL's fee eligibility criteria can be found by following this link: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/students/fees-and-funding/pay-your-fees/fee-schedules/student-fee-status. All doctoral, post-doctoral and mid-career researchers within the CL-PSRC benefit from membership of our Leadership Academy. The Academy is committed to developing its members through collaborative working, mentoring, action learning, and peer support. Our diverse, multidisciplinary team will support career development and exposure to a wide range of research methodologies and access to shadowing / short-term placements within the NHS and/or external patient safety agencies. In addition, Academy members benefit from the wider offer from UCL supporting doctoral students and early/mid-career researchers.

The advert will close on 6/01/2025 at 23:59 GMT. For enquiries about this role, please e-mail Prof Cecilia Vindrola (c.vindrola@ucl.ac.uk) and Laura Saucedo-Cuevas (l.saucedo-cuevas@ucl.ac.uk).

The interview is planned for the week beginning Monday 13/1/25.

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this position online, or have any queries about the application process, please contact the HR Team at l.oppong@ucl.ac.uk.