Funded PhD Studentship in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in People Taking Antipsychotic Medications University of Liverpool in United Kingdom

Funded PhD studentship at the University of Liverpool on understanding and preventing cardiovascular disease in people taking antipsychotic medications (PreCAP). This project sits at the intersection of public health, medical science, psychology, statistics, and epidemiology, with a strong focus on mental health, cardiovascular disease, multiple long-term conditions, and data-driven mixed methods research.

The PhD aims to generate evidence-based recommendations to improve prediction and prevention of CVD in people prescribed antipsychotics, addressing inequalities and informing targeted, clinically actionable risk management. The work is expected to include a systematic review, analysis of large-scale UK routinely collected health care data, and stakeholder engagement. The student will receive formal doctoral training in epidemiology and medical statistics, plus hands-on supervision and collaboration with clinical academics, epidemiologists, statisticians, patient and public contributors, NHS partners, and integrated care systems.

Eligibility: applicants should have a 1st class or 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in epidemiology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, medical statistics, psychology, or a related discipline, and preferably a Master’s degree. Quantitative data analysis skills (e.g. R or Stata) are desirable; experience with routine health data or qualitative methods would be advantageous. The studentship is for Home applicants only.

Funding: full UK tuition fees, an annual tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate, and research support costs including training, conference attendance, and project-related expenses. Funding lasts for the standard PhD duration of 4 years full-time, subject to satisfactory progress.

How to apply: email the lead supervisor, Dr Yu Fu, with the project title in the subject line, along with a CV, brief cover letter, and transcripts if available. Informal expressions of interest will be reviewed by the supervisory team. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to discuss the project and, if suitable, submit a formal application through the University of Liverpool Application Portal.