DECIPHer (Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health ImpRovement) 

One studentship is available in Bristol in the field of epidemiology and multiple risk behaviours in adolescents.

The DECIPHer Centre is one of five UKCRC Centres of Public Health Research Excellence coordinated by the Medical Research Council.  DECIPHer is a strategic partnership between the Universities of Cardiff, Bristol and Swansea. Since its inception in January 2009, DECIPHer has established itself as a leading centre of methodologically innovative multidisciplinary public health research with a focus on the development and evaluation of complex interventions and policies to achieve sustainable improvements in the health and well-being of the public, with a particular emphasis on children and young people.

FUNDING AND ELIGIBILITYThe studentship includes funding for four years for a full maintenance grant (part-MRC funded, part university) of £13,863 per annum and a Research and Training Support Grant for PhD students of £1,000 per annum. Applicants with an MSc in a relevant topic may be able to complete their PhD in three years.

Applicants are expected to have gained a relevant undergraduate degree at upper second class honours (2:1) or above. The studentship is open to applicants who are UK citizens, or EU citizens resident in the UK for at least 3 years.

Start date: Between 1^st September 2015 and 1^st January 2016.Closing date for applications: 9am on 8th June 2015.Interview date: Interviews will be held on 15^th June 2015 in Bristol.

PhD Studentship

Title: Exploring educational outcomes associated with engagement in multiple risk behaviours during adolescence

Background: Risk behaviours such as smoking, antisocial behaviour, alcohol consumption and unprotected sexual intercourse cluster in adolescence. Early initiation of risk behaviours is associated with engagement in multiple risk behaviour in both early and late adolescence and such behaviours, individually and collectively, are associated with increased risk of poor educational attainment, morbidity and premature mortality. Multiple risk behaviours include: regular tobacco smoking; regular alcohol drinking; binge drinking (alcohol); cannabis use; recent or regular illicit drug use; risky sexual behaviours; anti-social behaviour and offending; vehicle-related risk behaviours (e.g. cycling without a helmet; not using a car seatbelt); self-harm; gambling; unhealthy diet; and physical inactivity. Multiple risk behaviours are costly to society, young people who engage in any one risk behaviour are likely to engage in others, and there may be shared biological and environmental factors which influence the development of these multiple behaviours. As such, preventive interventions may impact on more than one outcome. This thesis will explore educational outcomes at Key Stages 1-5 with engagement of multiple risk behaviours during adolescence.

Aims:

To inform the design of interventions to prevent harm from multiple risk behaviours in adolescence this study will assess the educational impact of engagement in multiple risk behaviours during adolescence.

For more information -please email Carol asking that she send you the full email from Bristol

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