University of Kent PhD Studentship

PhD opportunity: Using data to understand health inequalities

The University of Kent is offering a fully funded PhD studentship, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex (NIHR ARC KSS).

This project focuses on health inequalities, data science, and applied health research. The PhD will explore how data can help explain differences in health outcomes between neighbourhoods and places, and how wider social and environmental factors such as housing, income, deprivation, and local environments shape health.

The studentship is based at the Centre for Health Services Studies at the University of Kent, with opportunities to work with researchers and health and care partners across Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Suggested research directions include long-term conditions, early development of long-term health conditions, and inequalities in coastal communities, rural areas, underserved populations, and deprived communities.

Funding includes full PhD tuition fees at the home student rate, an annual stipend of £20,013, £750 per year for training, conferences and research costs, and access to the ARC KSS training and development programme.

Eligibility: UK applicants only; a Master’s degree or equivalent experience in a health or social care related subject; interest in applied health research and using data to improve care; full-time study required.

Deadline: Sunday 12 July 2026 (23:59 BST). Interviews are expected in late July / early August 2026, with a start date in October 2026.

How to apply: Read the guidance notes and apply through the University of Kent website using the application link provided.