PhD Studentship: Identifying progression and patterns of symptoms in autoimmune rheumatic disease flares
[Fully funded for three years by The Lupus Trust and Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity. Funding includes tuition fees at Home-fee rate, an annual stipend for maintenance starting at £21,805 in the academic year 2026/27, and £1,000 per annum to support research training. International applicants must pay the difference between Home and International fee rates.]
This fully funded PhD studentship at the University of East Anglia focuses on identifying progression and patterns of symptoms in autoimmune rheumatic disease flares, with a particular emphasis on conditions such as lupus. The project aims to improve early recognition of disease flares by identifying warning signs (prodromes) and understanding the type and progression of symptoms. Previous research has highlighted common prodromal symptoms, such as nightmares, and shown that flare symptoms are often consistent within individuals but vary between patients.
The research will involve three main components: (1) a literature review on flares and prodromal symptoms; (2) analysis of survey data from over 3,000 patients to investigate symptom patterns and progression; and (3) a prospective mixed methods study co-designed with patients and clinicians, using physiological markers (e.g., heart rate and sleep from wearables), objective tests (e.g., cognitive tests), and patient-reported measures. The student will also help coordinate the international INSPIRE project, which investigates neuropsychiatric symptom prevalence and impact in rheumatology patient experiences, and will have opportunities to join related project teams in long-term conditions.
The PhD is supervised by Dr Melanie Sloan, with Professors Guy Leschziner (neurology) and David D’Cruz (rheumatology) serving as clinician advisors. The studentship is funded for three years by The Lupus Trust and Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity, covering tuition fees at the UK Home-fee rate, an annual stipend of £21,805, and £1,000 per annum for research training. International applicants are welcome but must pay the difference between Home and International fee rates. The training programme includes evidence synthesis, qualitative and mixed methods analysis, statistical analysis (including meta-analysis), intensive longitudinal methods, writing for publication, thesis preparation, dissemination, and personal and professional development. Expected outputs include a thesis, multiple publications, presentations, and evidence to inform clinical practice.
Applicants should have a good first degree (at least 2:1) in a numerate or health-related discipline and preferably a research or health-based Masters. Motivation and compassion are essential. The position is full-time and starts on 1 October 2026. For current fee rates and further information, visit the university’s finance information page. The application deadline is 31 May 2026.
To apply, use the University of East Anglia postgraduate research application portal. Prepare your CV and supporting documents, and review the eligibility and funding details. For questions, contact the university directly.
