Applications are invited for a Transforming Lives PhD Scholarship in Health and Social Care commencing, 01 February 2025The scholarship is for three and a half years full-time study and covers home PhD fees, currently £4,786. The scholarship pays an annual stipend at the living wage foundation rate, currently £19,772. The 2024/25 rate will be confirmed in November 2024 and the stipend payment will increase annually based on the rate set by the living wage foundation for the duration of the scholarship. Developing a lifestyle intervention aiming to support people with vascular Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS)Are you interested in the development of an exercise-based lifestyle intervention to support people with rare disease? Individuals affected with rare diseases often feel isolated due to scarce health and wellbeing resources. We are looking for a PhD candidate who is passionate about using exercise science to address unmet needs in the rare disease community. We have an opportunity to develop and evaluate an exercise-based lifestyle intervention for individuals affected by vascular Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (vascular EDS), a rare genetic condition affecting around 800 people in the UK. Vascular EDS is a potentially life-threatening condition associated with fragility of blood vessel and hollow organs. Exercise is important for health and wellbeing, however, very little is known about the safety of exercise in this patient group. By developing and evaluating an exercise-based lifestyle intervention for vascular EDS patients, the successful PhD candidate will be engaging in pioneering research to support this rare disease community. Outcomes from this study have the potential to positively impact patients locally, nationally, and internationally.This PhD is facilitated by the Lifestyle, Exercise and Nutrition Improvement (LENI) Research Group of the Department of Nursing and Midwifery of Sheffield Hallam University. LENI Research Group is world-acclaimed research group, focusing on the development and implementation of lifestyle interventions, aiming to prevent and treat non-communicable diseases. The programme will be carried out at the Health Research Institute (HRI) of Sheffield Hallam University. The Health Research Institute acts as a nucleus for health and care research across Sheffield Hallam, providing support to research centres, groups, clusters and individuals . This PhD programme is funded in collaboration between two charities (“Ehlers-Danlos Support UK” and “Annabelle’s Challenge”), which support people with vascular EDS. It is also actively supported by clinicians at the Highly Specialised EDS National Diagnostic Service in Sheffield. There will be opportunities to learn about the impact of vascular EDS from these specialised clinicians and patients.Vascular EDS is a genetic condition caused by pathogenic variants in the COL3A1 gene, which affect the production of type III collagen. This makes the connective tissue less effective, particularly the blood vessels, hollow organs and the skin. People with vascular EDS have a risk of fragile blood vessels, which can lead to major complications, including ruptures, dissections or aneurysms. Hollow organ rupture most commonly affects the large bowel. Once diagnosed, someone affected with vascular EDS must make significant changes to their lifestyles to manage the risks associated with the condition. Exercise is an important aspect of healthy living, which also holds risks for people with vascular EDS. Exercise guidance is needed for this patient group, however, there are currently no evidence-based lifestyle management programmes. This makes it difficult for clinicians to provide recommendations.This PhD programme will aim to produce an exercise-based lifestyle intervention, helping people with vascular EDS exercise safely. This can ultimately be adopted by the NHS and healthcare systems around the world. This is an important programme, which will give the successful candidate a “once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity to pave the way towards improving the lives of people with vascular EDS and their families. Applicants should hold:BSc (1st or 2:1) honours degree (or equivalent) in Sport Science or Physiology or a related area.A good understanding of human physiology will be necessary.An MSc qualification in a related area is desirable, as would experience of working with clients or patients with a vascular condition or non-communicable diseases (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s).excellent communication skills to work closely with multiple stakeholders including clinicians, patients, and charities.We are offering this as a full-time PhD scholarship and are proud to be an inclusive organisation. We welcome applications from all members of our community, particularly those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBTQIA+, BAME and disabled communities. International / EU applicants – please see the funding section for important information around fees for our scholarships. Home fees only are covered and International applicants must be able to fund the fee gap of around £12,400 per year for the first 3-years of the scholarship.Sheffield Hallam also has a mandatory English language requirement of IELTS 7, or equivalent language qualification, for all applicants to whom English is not their first language. This qualification must be less than two-years old, with a score of at least 7 in all test areas and may be required even if you have previous qualifications gained at UK institutions. Please check with the Postgraduate team prior to application as this qualification must be submitted as part of the scholarship application.    How to ApplyAll applicants are advised to contact the Director of Studies before making an application. To apply for the PhD scholarship, please complete and submit an application form, providing a detailed 1,500-word research proposal addressing the project title. Our on-line application form can be found on the ‘Apply Now’ button: https://www.shu.ac.uk/courses/health-and-social-care-management/phd-health-and-social-care/full-time/2024 Please choose the option to apply for the February 2025 intake. Please add the project title within the Personal Statement field of the application and ensure that all attachments have been uploaded to the application system. We cannot consider applications where a detailed 1,500-word research proposal has not been submitted.  If you are experiencing issues submitting your application or for general enquires please contact the Postgraduate Research Team via email at [email protected]   Please submit your application form by the closing date 6 November 2024 at 12 noon. Late applications will not be accepted.  Interviews W/C 18 November 2024