Quantifying the Value of Advanced Cell Therapy for Long-term Autoimmune Conditions: CAR-T Cell Therapy for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Manchester-Melbourne Dual Award)

This fully funded PhD opportunity, offered as a Manchester-Melbourne Dual Award, focuses on quantifying the value of advanced cell therapy—specifically CAR T-cell therapy—for long-term autoimmune conditions, with a primary emphasis on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The project is based at the University of Manchester, with a 12-month research visit to the University of Melbourne, providing a unique international research experience. Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause permanent damage to multiple organs, including the skin, heart, kidneys, and brain. The condition leads to significant reductions in quality of life, daily functioning, and life expectancy, with pronounced disparities across different demographic groups. Current treatment options are limited, and many patients do not respond adequately, resulting in ongoing harm. CAR T-cell therapy, a form of precision medicine involving the infusion of modified immune cells, is emerging as a promising new treatment for severe cases of lupus. This PhD project aims to evaluate the health and economic value of CAR T-cell therapy for SLE using health economics methodologies. The research will be conducted within the Manchester Centre for Health Economics and the Economics of Genomics and Precision Medicine Unit at the University of Melbourne. Supervision is provided by a multidisciplinary team of experts in health economics, precision medicine, and clinical application of CAR T-cell therapies, including Dr S Gavan and Prof IG Goranitis. The doctoral research is structured into three main projects: (1) analysis of health outcomes for lupus patients using data from the BILAG-BR national register, focusing on those who do not respond to current treatments; (2) a discrete choice experiment to assess patient preferences and potential uptake of CAR T-cell therapy; and (3) an early model-based cost-effectiveness analysis comparing CAR T-cell therapy to standard care, simulating lifetime costs, health outcomes, and overall value for patients. Students will gain expertise in health economic evaluation, statistical analysis of real-world patient data, quantitative preference elicitation, project management, and effective communication with policymakers and clinical leaders. The findings are expected to directly impact the future of lupus treatment, inform service delivery, and guide research and development strategies in both the UK and Australia. As part of the Dual Award, students will be registered at both institutions and must fulfill all requirements of the PhD programme at Manchester and Melbourne. The programme provides full funding for tuition fees, a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate for 3.5 years, return travel to Melbourne, health insurance, and research and training support. The start date is September 2026. Entry requirements include a First or Upper Second class (2:1) UK honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants must contact the primary supervisor before applying to discuss their interest and suitability. Applications should be submitted via the online portal, selecting PhD Health Economics as the programme of study, and must include all required supporting documents. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. For further details and to apply, visit the project page on FindAPhD.