PhD Studentship in Psychology

Project title: Exploring the role of emotional wellbeing and health information delivery in uptake and engagement with enhanced rapid urinary tract infection testing 

Supervisors: Dr Katherine Finlay, Psychology (Lead)

Collaboration Partners:

Dr Cici Muldoon, Serox

Dr Ian Smith, Serox

Dr Chris Blick, Department of Urology, Royal Berkshire Hospital

Dr Bob Yang, Department of Urology, Royal Berkshire Hospital

Project Overview:   

Accurate and rapid diagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTIs) is problematic: recent microbiological research has demonstrated that up to 58% of UTIs are missed by standard test. Due to testing inaccuracy, there has been a call to action to develop new rapid and expanded testing methods which can be used ‘on the day’, within a clinic, and can be supplemented by patient reported outcome measures including quality of life and symptom reporting (Brubaker et al., 2023; Harding et al., 2022).

Project Aims:

1. To facilitate a major clinical trial of UTI samples and biobanking of UTI samples, analysed using novel testing modalities, with results benchmarked against the patient reported outcome measures (see the RUTISS and RUTIIQ measures developed by our team.
2. To investigate patient attitudes towards UTI testing/analysis and assess the impact of emotional wellbeing, fear-based emotional states and quality of life on testing uptake, adherence and willingness.
3. To develop and trial patient- and clinician-focused clinical/information resources about UTI diagnostic testing which will use health-psychology informed information delivery to enhance shared-decision making and reduce testing avoidance.
4. To work with 'big data' held by our collaborative partner and/or NHS databases to assess the impact of psychosocial factors on UTI outcomes and comorbid conditions. Applicants will be based at the Veritie Group offices in Oxford and the University of Reading

Eligibility: 

• Applicants should hold or expect to gain a minimum of an MSc in Psychology or equivalent in a related field. Candidates performing at Merit or Distinction level at MSc will be preferred.
• Applicants should have strong qualitative and quantitative research skills and willingness to develop expertise in urinary tract infection research and clinical trials management.
• Applicants should have strong interpersonal abilities, such that they can work closely with people with UTI, clinicians, and stakeholders.
• Due to funding restrictions, this studentship is only open to UK-based/home students.

Funding Details:   

• Starts 1^st April 2025
• Three-year award
• Funding covers full tuition fees plus UKRI stipend and £500 per annum research costs

How to apply:  

Apply online via the above ‘Apply’ button, create your account and use the link sent by email to start the application process. During the application process please select the PhD in Psychology.

*Important notes*

1. Please quote the reference ‘DRC24-009-rUTI’ in the ‘Scholarships applied for’ box which appears within the Funding Section of your on-line application.
2. When you are prompted by the online application system, please upload a description of how your background/training relates to work in Health, Psychology, Urinary Tract Infection and/or clinical trials management.

Application Deadline: Wednesday 19^th February 2025 

Further Enquiries:  

Please note that, where a candidate is successful in being awarded funding, this will be confirmed via a formal studentship award letter; this will be provided separately from any Offer of Admission and will be subject to standard checks for eligibility and other criteria. 

For further details please contact Dr Katherine Finlay.

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