University of Derby Studentship

University of Derby is advertising a fully funded PhD/MPhil studentship in Long COVID, focused on preventive therapies, respiratory outcomes, and health-related quality of life. The project sits within the College of Health and Humanities, in the Biomedical and Clinical Sciences research area, and is designed for a student interested in clinical or applied health research.

The research will examine the impact of interventions to prevent acute respiratory infection and improve outcomes for people living with Long COVID. The successful candidate will work with a supervisory team and industry partners to design and deliver a study using real-world or feasibility-based approaches. The project includes patient-reported outcomes, respiratory measures, ethics applications, data collection, and statistical analysis.

Funding: maintenance stipend based on the UKRI minimum (currently £21,805 per year for 2026/27) plus UK home tuition fees (£5,238, subject to amendment), funded for a full-time 3-year studentship up to the target submission date. This is an industry-funded project. Eligibility: only home students may apply.

Key requirements: a strong personal statement, CV, qualification details, scanned certificates/transcripts, passport or birth certificate, and ideally two academic references. The advert asks applicants to review entry requirements before applying. The project is suitable for candidates with interests in respiratory health, rehabilitation, patient-centred outcomes, evidence generation, and clinical research methods.

Deadline: applications close on 2 August 2026, with interviews on 18 August 2026 and an intended start in September 2026. Applicants are encouraged to apply early because the advert may close before the stated deadline if there is high demand.

How to apply: submit an online application via the University of Derby portal and quote funding reference EXT_CoHH_LongCOVID_26-27. For subject-specific enquiries, contact Dr Corinna Chidley, Prof Mark Faghy, or Dr Rebecca Owen-Toon using the emails listed in the advert.