Ellen Brooks-Pollock

This fully funded PhD opportunity at the University of Bristol's Bristol Medical School invites applications to evaluate the newly launched maternal Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programme in the UK. RSV is a leading cause of chest infections in infants, and since September 2024, pregnant women have been offered a single dose of RSV vaccine to protect their babies during early life. The project aims to assess the delivery, equity, and impact of this vaccination programme, ensuring that all infants benefit from this new protection. The successful candidate will undertake mixed methods research, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluate how the programme is being implemented and how it can be optimised for high and equitable uptake. Key research activities include identifying barriers to RSV vaccine awareness and uptake through interviews and focus groups with pregnant women, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders. The project also involves systematic evidence review to contextualise UK findings within international literature and identify transferable strategies for implementation. Using routine datasets and data linkage, the student will estimate vaccine uptake rates by region, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and other factors, identifying inequities in access and coverage. The research will culminate in recommendations for optimising the programme, directly informing ongoing delivery and policy decisions. Comprehensive training will be provided in quantitative and qualitative research methods, as well as evidence synthesis. This interdisciplinary PhD will equip students with highly sought-after skills in implementation research and health services research, preparing them for careers in public health policy, epidemiology, and maternal and child health. The Bristol Medical School is a leading centre for research and teaching in Population Health Sciences and Translational Health Sciences, with a collaborative and multi-disciplinary environment. The School's research excellence is recognised nationally, and students benefit from access to major research centres and programmes. The studentship is funded by the Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation and Behavioural Science (HPRU EBS) for three years, covering tuition fees for home students and a stipend at the UKRI rate (£20,780 in 2025/2026). Overseas students are welcome to apply but must pay the difference between home and overseas fees. The anticipated start date is September 2026, with applications closing at 16:00 GMT on Monday, 26 January 2026. Applicants should have, or expect to obtain, at least a 2.1 degree (or equivalent). A relevant Master's degree or research experience is advantageous but not required. Enthusiasm for learning quantitative, qualitative, and evidence synthesis methods is essential, as is the ability to engage with diverse communities and healthcare professionals. Applications from those with non-standard qualifications and from minority or under-represented backgrounds are encouraged. To apply, select the Population Health PhD programme and enter the supervisor names as listed. State 'Health Protection Research Unit in Evaluation and Behavioural Science' in the funding box. No research statement/proposal is required, but a personal statement describing your training, experience, motivation, and reasons for applying to the University of Bristol is necessary. Full details are available in the Admissions Statement. For further information, visit the project page: Health Service Evaluation of Maternal RSV Vaccine Uptake .