National Institute for Health and Care Research Maternity Disparities Consortium
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PhD Studentships in Maternity Disparities: Methodology, Health Economics, Statistics, Data Science and Implementation Science National Institute for Health and Care Research Inequalities Challenge: Maternity Disparities Consortium in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Up to 13 funded PhD studentships. Full home tuition fees covered at 2026/27 UK rates. Tax-free annual stipend at UKRI rates (£21,805 outside London / £23,805 inside London from 1 October 2026). £5,000 per award for research, travel, training, and consumables. International students may apply but must secure alternative funding for the difference between UK and overseas tuition fees.
Deadline
Sep 7, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
National Institute for Health and Care Research Maternity Disparities Consortium
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About this position
NIHR Inequalities Challenge: Maternity Disparities Consortium (MDC) is advertising up to 13 funded PhD studentships focused on reducing inequalities before, during, and after pregnancy. The projects span a UK-wide collaboration of universities, NHS trusts, councils, charities, and industry partners, with a strong emphasis on methodological research and capacity building.
Research areas include health economics, statistics, trial design, digital research, data science, implementation science, co-production methods, AI-enabled approaches, perinatal mental health, maternity care pathways, and analysis of inequalities in maternal and newborn outcomes. Example project themes include accessible maternity care, conceptual and measurement frameworks for maternity inequalities, trauma-informed perinatal mental health pathways, community research link workers, realist evaluation, place-based inequalities, hospital-to-home care pathways, statistical methods for newborn and family outcomes, societal costs of perinatal mental illness, cardiometabolic care transitions, preconception care, and pregnancy intention.
Funding includes full home tuition fees at 2026/27 UK rates, a tax-free annual stipend at UKRI rates, and a £5,000 contribution per award for research, travel, training, and consumables. International applicants are welcome, but they must secure alternative funding for the difference between UK and overseas tuition fees and provide financial evidence at application stage.
Applicants should be passionate about maternal health equity and have methodology knowledge or experience. The consortium especially encourages applications from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, neurodivergent conditions, and people with long-term health requirements. Candidates from a wide range of methodological backgrounds are welcome if they can explain their fit in the cover letter. Successful applicants must also meet host university PhD entry requirements.
Apply by 5pm on Monday 7 September 2026 via the online application form. Upload a two-page CV, at least one covering letter, and details of two referees, including one academic referee. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on 15 and 16 October 2026 in Newcastle, and successful candidates will start in January 2027.
Funding details
Up to 13 funded PhD studentships. Full home tuition fees covered at 2026/27 UK rates. Tax-free annual stipend at UKRI rates (£21,805 outside London / £23,805 inside London from 1 October 2026). £5,000 per award for research, travel, training, and consumables. International students may apply but must secure alternative funding for the difference between UK and overseas tuition fees.
What's required
Applicants should be passionate about maternal health equity and have methodology knowledge and experience. The consortium particularly welcomes candidates from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, neurodivergent conditions, and long-term health requirements, and candidates of all genders, ages, and beliefs. Applicants with experience in a wide range of methodologies are encouraged to apply, and those whose disciplinary background is not immediately obvious should explain its relevance in the cover letter. Successful candidates must also meet the specific entry requirements of the host institution and register for a PhD at the host university. International applicants must provide financial evidence that they can cover the difference between UK and overseas tuition fees for the full duration of the award.
How to apply
Complete and submit the application form online by 5pm on Monday 7 September 2026. Upload a two-page CV, at least one covering letter, and provide details for two referees, including one academic referee. You may apply for up to two projects and should check individual project pages and host university requirements.
More information can be found here
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