[£20,780 per annum bursary. University fees covered up to home level; international students must pay the difference between home and international fees. Visas and associated costs are not covered.]

This fully funded PhD studentship at Oxford Brookes University offers an exciting opportunity to research the optimisation of Off-Site Construction (OSC) for strengthening Resilient Healthcare Infrastructure (RHcI) and enhancing the agility of Healthcare Supply Chain (HcSC) performance. The project responds to vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic in traditional healthcare infrastructure delivery and supply chain management, aiming to develop an interdisciplinary, data-driven framework that quantifies and explains how OSC can improve resilience and agility in healthcare systems.

As a PhD student in the Faculty of Health, Science and Technology, you will work closely with a team of experts in OSC, supply chain management, and organisational adaptation, including Professor Esra Kurul (Director of Studies), Dr. Roshani Palliyaguru, and Dr. Kalpani Dissanayake (US-based advisor). The research will use mixed methods to establish empirical links between OSC, RHcI, and HcSC agility, providing evidence-based guidance for designing and delivering resilient and agile healthcare systems. The project is supported by advisory input from Pennsylvania State University, USA, and maintains strong connections with the NHS, offering opportunities to make a real impact on emergency healthcare response and global health system resilience.

The studentship includes a bursary of £20,780 per annum and covers university fees up to the home student level. International students are required to pay the difference between home and international fees, and visa costs are not covered. The position requires up to 6 hours of teaching per week during semester time, including preparation and marking, and participation in a teaching skills course.

Applicants should hold a first or upper second-class honours degree from a UK institution or an equivalent qualification. International/EU candidates must provide a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (minimum overall score of 6.0, no score below 5.5) issued within the last two years. The application process involves submitting a cover letter, CV, details of two referees (at least one academic), a research proposal, degree certificates and transcripts, a scan of your passport, and evidence of English language qualification if applicable. The deadline for applications is 20th February 2026, with interviews to be confirmed online and the start date in September 2026.

This research will advance theory by establishing empirical linkages between OSC and healthcare supply chains, inform policy, support UK manufacturing capacity, and shape global best practice. Graduates will be well-positioned for careers in academia, industry, or policy-making, with the potential to drive innovation in healthcare infrastructure and supply chain management worldwide.