Graduate opportunities

The School of Health and Social Care is offering a fully funded PhD studentship starting in January 2024. A stipend will be paid in line with UKRI guidelines, starting at £18,622pa in 2023/24, plus Home tuition fees, for a maximum of 36 months. International candidates are welcome to apply but would need to be able to fund the fee difference. Interview date Thursday 16th November 2023.

The proposed interdisciplinary PhD is jointly funded by the University of Essex and a local social enterprise, Sport for Confidence (SFC), which places Occupational Therapists and specialist Sports Coaches into leisure centre settings to create accessible and inclusive opportunities. The studentship is focused on evaluating aspects of a national system partnership SFC has with Sport England. Key aims of the studentship will be:

1. To understand and map the national system involved in promoting physical activity amongst marginalised and seldom heard populations (to include delivery, strategic and pre-registration health education systems).
2. To examine the barriers and enablers of implementing a national system partnership.
3. To examine the impact of this work on reducing health inequalities, tackling physical inactivity, and promoting wellbeing, particularly amongst marginalised and seldom heard populations.

About us

The student will join a vibrant school with an active cohort of doctoral students and supportive team of academics, administrators, and technicians; being supervised by three experienced members of research staff from the School of Health and Social Care and the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences: Dr Anna Pettican, Dr Paul Freeman and Dr Andrew Brinkley. Additionally, the student will be integrated within SFC, working as part of the organisation to support a culture of collecting and utilising data to promote learning and inform practice. To have an informal discussion about the studentship, please contact Anna, Paul, or Andrew on anna.pettican@essex.ac.uk, pfreeman@essex.ac.uk or andrew.brinkley@essex.ac.uk.

Criteria (Essential):

• BSc (2:1 or above) in Sport and Exercise Science, Psychology, Data Analytics or Health and Social Care related disciplines
• Experience of qualitative research methods and analysis
• Knowledge and experience in experimental research design and quantitative data analysis
• Experience of working collaboratively with individuals from marginalised and seldom heard populations
• Experience of working within community health systems/services and/or using health service data
• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively as part of a team

Desirable

• MSc/MRes in Sport and Exercise Science, Psychology, Data Analytics or Health related disciplines
• Registered health professional (ideally an Occupational Therapist)
• High levels of resourcefulness and attention to detail
• Experience of communicating and disseminating research to academic and non-academic audiences.

How to apply

Application closing date: 12 noon on Friday 20th October 2023. You can apply for this postgraduate research opportunity online. Applicants should select full-time ‘PhD in Public Health’ when applying and (when asked for your ‘proposed research topic or area of research’) state the studentship title at the top of this advert. Applications MUST include the following documents to be uploaded:

• Research proposal of no more than 600 words, outlining suggested research focus(es), approach(es) and/or studies that applicants would be interested to include within this PhD.
• CV including research experience, skills, and publications (if any).
• Covering letter outlining how you meet the criteria for the studentship.
• Transcripts of any undergraduate or masters’ programmes.

The School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences is offering a fully funded PhD studentship starting in April 2024. A stipend will be paid in line with UKRI guidelines plus Home tuition fees, for a maximum of 36 months. International candidates are welcome to apply but would need to be able to fund the fee difference.

The proposed interdisciplinary PhD is jointly funded by the University of Essex, award-winning health technology company, Aparito, focusing on developing digital health technologies that changes the lives of patients. The studentship is focused on developing and validating outcome measures of movement impairments quantified using markerless motion capture cameras. Key objectives of the studentship will be:

1. To assess the validity and reliability of markerless motion capture camera methods, using state-of-art POSE estimation methods.
2. Improve current POSE methods to optimise its performance.
3. Develop novel outcome measures of movement impairments and validate against patient-reported outcome measures.
4. Promote wellbeing, particularly amongst marginalised and seldom heard populations.

About us:

The student will join a vibrant school with an active cohort of doctoral students and supportive team of academics, administrators, and technicians; being supervised by two experienced members of research staff from the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, and School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering: Dr Bernard Liew and Dr Xiaojun Zhai. Additionally, the student will be integrated within Aparito’s multidisciplinary team of clinicians, research scientist, and engineers, with access to both the backend and frontend of their technologies. To have an informal discussion about the studentship, please contact Bernard (bl19622@essex.ac.uk) and Xiaojun (xzhai@essex.ac.uk).

Criteria: (Essential)

• BSc (2:1 or above) in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or related disciplines.
• Experience working with programming languages like Python, Java, C/C++, etc.
• Experience working with POSE estimation methods using computer vision and deep learning frameworks (e.g. OpenPose, Pytorch, Mediapipe, etc.).
• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively as part of a team.
• High levels of resourcefulness and attention to detail.
• Good time management and communication skills.

Desirable

• MSc/MRes in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or related disciplines.
• Experience collecting and processing human biomechanical data using 3D optical motion capture (e.g. Vicon) and Visual 3D.
• Experience working with human participants.
• Experience of communicating and disseminating research to academic and non-academic audiences. 

How to apply

Application closing date: 12 noon on Friday 3 November 2023.You can apply for this postgraduate research opportunity online. Applicants should select full-time ‘PhD in Sport and Exercise Science’ when applying and (when asked for your ‘proposed research topic or area of research’) state the studentship title at the top of this advert. Applications MUST include the following documents to be uploaded:

• Research proposal of no more than 2 pages (Font 11, Single line spacing), outlining suggested research focus(es), approach(es) and/or studies that applicants would be interested to include within this PhD.
• CV including research experience, skills, and publications (if any).
• Link to a repository (e.g. Github) that evidences your coding experience.
• Covering letter outlining how you meet the criteria for the studentship.
• Transcripts of any undergraduate or masters’ programmes.

Working towards the monitoring and protection of aquatic species

An opportunity for a fully-funded PhD studentship is currently being offered by the School of Life Sciences at University of Essex in partnership with University of Exeter and Natural England. Closing date for applications is Monday 20th November 2023 at 10am. Interviews will be on Friday 1st December 2023 – please note this date. Send cover letter and cv to: lspgr@essex.ac.uk.

PhD advertised and managed by the following supervisory team:

• Dr Michelle Taylor, University of Essex, Director of Marine Biology and President of the Deep-Sea Biology Society.
• Dr Boyd McKew, University of Essex. Senior Lecturer and Deputy Dive officer, who brings 20 years of molecular ecology experience.
• Dr Lucy Woodall, University of Exeter / Nekton. Dr Woodall has been researching seahorse ecology and evolution for over 15 years and is a founding member of the IUCN SSC Seahorse, Pipefish, and Seadragon Specialist Group (SPS SG).
• Dr Hazel Selley, Natural England Senior Specialist in Marine Ecology with focus on seahorse species, seagrass beds, and marine nature recovery.

Background to the PhD

Two species of seahorse can be found breeding in UK waters – the short snouted seahorse Hippocampus hippocampus and long snouted or spiny seahorse Hippocampus guttulatus. Both species have been protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981) since 2008. Assessing seahorse populations by traditional methods such as SCUBA diving is notoriously difficult as they live cryptically in a range of habitats. The successful application of eDNA and / or acoustic monitoring will enable more frequent routine sampling which can reduce harm from coastal development and aid conservation of the species.

This exciting PhD studentship focuses on the development and application of environmental DNA (eDNA) and acoustic monitoring as techniques for investigating elusive and cryptic seahorse species in English waters. Recently developed techniques to capture and analyse free-floating DNA, known as environmental DNA (eDNA), have the potential to provide a rapid and robust method for determining the presence and distribution of aquatic species. Acoustic monitoring may also have potential to provide safe and more affordable detection in coastal areas. These two methods provide tools linking spatial and temporal occurrence.

This project can develop better tools to detect the seasonal, temporal and spatial distribution of these elusive but charismatic fish. Using these novel methods for the monitoring of seahorses populations in UK waters could generate vital data which will further our understanding of environmental parameters which seahorses require to thrive.

The aims of this project are to:

1. Develop and validate an eDNA technique using sediment samples for the identification and quantification of target fish species.
2. Develop and validate acoustic techniques for detecting target fish species.
3. Apply these novel techniques to evaluate existing species distribution models.
4. Application of these novel techniques for tracking potential changes in species distributions.

Supervision team and research environment

This PhD is a joint initiative between Dr Michelle Taylor and Dr Boyd McKew at University of Essex (PhD host institute), seahorse experts from the IUCN Species Group via Dr Lucy Woodall at University of Exeter and Dr Hazel Selley at Natural England, who have a long time interest in UK seahorse conservation. The nature of this applied research can also link with ground truthing habitat suitability modelling completed by partners at CEFAS and the project will allow the successful candidate to develop strong links with collaborators.

The student will have regular meetings with Dr Taylor and input from other members of the team in response to the specific needs of the student and the research. This studentship adds to an existing research project, the student will be joining the research team and benefit from working closely together in the laboratory to develop these novel eDNA techniques.

The student will also benefit from time spent with the University of Exeter / the South West of the UK developing acoustic monitoring skills and testing techniques. The student undertaking this project will receive in-depth training in ecological and genetic survey techniques; DNA extraction, using DNA markers, real time PCR, sequence analysis, acoustic species surveying, and experience of working closely with strategic collaborators.

Requirements

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic student capable of working independently with a broad interest in ecology and conservation. They should be willing to learn and develop the interdisciplinary skills required for this project. Although the successful student will receive in-depth training it is desirable that applicants have some experience of molecular work. The successful applicant will be working primarily in an academic environment, supported by a range of experts and engaging with collaborating organisations, and regulatory bodies to whom this work will be of interest.

Applicants must have a good honours degree (2.1 or equivalent) in Biological or Environmental disciplines ideally with good knowledge of marine ecology and monitoring techniques. A relevant Masters qualification is desirable, but not essential if the applicant has relevant research experience. If the language of first degree or Master’s degree is not English, a recognised English language qualification is required. Funding is provided on a Home Fees basis and as such applicants must be ordinarily resident in the UK, and eligible for UK home fees status. Successful applicants would be required to safely and effectively participate in fieldwork for sampling and testing techniques which could involve working on the shore, in estuaries and on boats, experience / enthusiasm for this type of fieldwork are beneficial.

Why choose this PhD?

This studentship:

• Provides in-depth training in ecological and genetic survey techniques; DNA extraction, using DNA markers and bioinformatics.
• Is a great opportunity to work closely with strategic collaborators in a research capacity, helping to guide practical conservation projects to safeguard aquatic ecosystems and influence policy.
• Will generate vital data regarding seahorse species in UK waters which will contribute directly to the protection of this cryptic, data deficient species.
• To join a strong research centre with excellent facilities including laboratories at University of Essex and spend time developing skills in acoustic work and monitoring with the University of Exeter. Finance for this PhD is secured but subject to contracts (currently underway).

For an informal discussion about the studentship, please contact Dr Taylor: Michelle.taylor@essex.ac.uk or Dr Woodall: L.Woodall@exeter.ac.uk.

Project name: Catalysts for Change and Collaborations in New Writing for the Stage: Theatre Underground, University of Essex and Mercury Theatre 1979-96

Funding: CHASE Collaborative Doctoral Studentship

Overview: This project explores the history of Theatre Underground (1979-96), University of Essex campus theatre, and the relationships it forged between ‘town and gown’. New writing for the stage brought to life significant events in local history and new drama in translation brought world theatre to Essex. Research will focus on the Theatre Underground archive at the University of Essex. At the Mercury Theatre Colchester, interpretations of the production materials will be explored with theatre practitioners; and public engagement workshops, led by the student, will seek interviews with alumni and audience members of Theatre Underground.

• Find out more about the studentship and how to apply.