Innovation Knowledge and Organizational Networks Research Centre

This is an exciting opportunity to join a research team working on a major new project on improving the capabilities of NHS organisations to use evidence. 

About the project:
The research project will explore the process through which evidence-based guidelines, produced by NICE, are actually taken up and used in practice by NHS commissioning managers when they make decisions about the design and delivery of NHS services. The broader remit is to use theoretical perspectives in social sciences and organization studies (e.g. practice-based theory) to understand the travel of new forms of evidence and to create ways of improving NHS managers’ capabilities to use evidence. Our objectives for the project are:

• to document ‘evidence journeys’
• to compare and contrast the travel of evidence in different settings in order to investigate how and why variations in journeys and uses of evidence occur
• to create a process model roadmap and a diagnostic tool that will guide the current commissioning bodies through concrete steps to become better users of evidence

The project will utilise a number of observational and qualitative research methods and interest in this form of social science is essential. Training in and prior experience with the use of qualitative and observational methods is highly desirable. Familiarity with the UK healthcare sector is welcome but not essential.

The PhD student will work alongside an experienced research team but will have the opportunity to craft an independent contribution to the topic.

Supervisory team:
Professor Jacky Swan, Professor in Organizational Behaviour
Professor Davide Nicolini, Professor of Organization Studies
Dr Emmanouil Gkeredakis, Senior Research Fellow 

Awards available: 1 award available

Funding Details: The Studentship is open to Home/EU and international/Overseas students for 3 years from October 2013 and includes:

1. A fee waiver equivalent to the home/EU rate: Please note that due to funding restrictions international/Overseas students will be required to find funding to cover the difference between home/EU fees.
2. A stipend of £13,726 pa for 3.5 years

Length of Award: 3 years (PhD)

Eligibility: Open to both Home/EU and Overseas applications.
Please note that due to funding restrictions international/Overseas students will be required to find funding to cover the difference between home/EU fees.

Application Details:
Candidates with appropriate experience and research interests are encouraged to apply through the online applications procedure (http://www.wbs.ac.uk/courses/doctoral/phd/apply/) including:

1. A curriculum vitae
2. A covering letter explaining your interest in, and aptitude for, this research project, in particular
1. why you are attracted to this particular opportunity
2. what qualities you feel you can bring to the project
3. how the studentship fits with your career aspirations
3. A 2,000 word research proposal based on the topic of the research project
4. Two academic references

For enquiries and details on how to apply please contact:
Doctoral Programme Office
Tel: +44 (0)24 7652 4754
Email phdadmissions@wbs.ac.uk

Please quote IKON/Evidence on your application and submit by 19 July 2013

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview to take place soon after the closing date for applications.

For further project details please contact: Professor Jacky Swan (jacky.swan@wbs.ac.uk)

Deadline: 19 July 2013

To apply, please click the Apply button below.

Scholarships are not only for the smart students. Anyone can get scholarships

Spread the word to help others. Click share now!!