MRC/Scottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy fellowship
This competition is now closed for applications and is only available for reference purposes.
- Purpose
- Eligibility
- Nature of the fellowship
- Research support available
- Application procedure for the SCPHRP fellowship
- Timetable
- Contact
Purpose
To enable PhD students funded by the MRC to undertake a six month* fellowship at the Scottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy (SCPHRP). The fellowship will allow the successful candidate to contribute to the scientific programme of a major new MRC public health research initiative, conduct original scientific work under the direction of Professor John Frank, an internationally renowned epidemiologist, and Director of the SCPHRP. It will also enable the fellow to gain a unique insight into the interface between research and policy in public health, as well as contributing to the MRC’s remit to encourage the dissemination and application of research evidence.
* or longer, by agreement between the successful candidate’s supervisor and the SCPHRP
Eligibility
Applicants should be in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year of their MRC-funded PhD studentship. This fellowship is intended to develop awareness of policy environments and processes.
Nature of the fellowship
During his/her time in the SCPHRP, the fellow should expect to produce a piece of policy-relevant research synthesis, suitable for publication in a population health sciences journal, and to produce related policy briefing papers in a variety of formats. The topic of the fellowship will be determined by liaison between the fellow, the Director of the SCPHRP and the MRC, and will be selected with reference to the research interests of the fellow, the work programme of the SCPHRP and the policy-relevance and timeliness of the topic.
There may also be opportunities for fellows to organise seminars to inform or disseminate their work, in academic policy and practice settings. In all cases, fellows will be encouraged to interact closely with researchers associated with the SCPHRP and policy-makers in the Scottish Government and wider public health practitioner community in Scotland. Access to relevant conferences, workshops and seminars will be arranged and fellows may also be able to draw on training facilities provided by the Scottish Government.
Fellows should expect to spend as much time as possible working at the SCPHRP, which is physically based at the MRC Human Genetics Unit in Edinburgh. The MRC and SCPHRP are keen to encourage applicants from all over the UK.
Research support available
The successful applicant will receive a fully-funded extension to their PhD award for the period of the fellowship; payment of their maintenance stipend will continue while based at the SCPHRP. If they do not live within reasonable daily travelling distance of the SCPHRP’s base in Edinburgh, MRC will look at their travel and accommodation needs on an individual basis and cover excess costs up to a maximum of Ł2,000.
Application procedure for the SCPHRP fellowship
Applicants should submit:
- A brief summary paper on the following topic: ‘The characteristics of effective policies or interventions for equitably improving health among (a) children or (b) adolescents or (c) working age adults or (d) elderly people in developed countries such as Scotland.’ The paper should be no longer than two sides of A4 using size 12 font and should demonstrate:
- why you think this subject is of contemporary scientific and practical importance
- how the training you have received and your research to date will enable you to carry out this work
- your ability to write in a style suitable for a variety of academic and non-academic audiences
- A brief (no more than two page) curriculum vitae.
- A supporting letter from your PhD supervisor or Head of Department, confirming that a three month placement at the SCPHRP can be accommodated without adversely affecting your PhD programme.
Before preparing your summary paper you may want to consider examining the 'POST style' of writing, which is from a similar UK Parliament based competition. All of POST's publications can be viewed at http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_offices/post.cfm
Timetable
One fellowship per year will be awarded. Applications must be emailed to students@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk and received by 21 March 2009. Late applications will not be accepted. A panel consisting of MRC and SCPHRP personnel will assess the applications.
Start date of placement will be any date after September 2009. This is to be agreed between the applicant, the SCPHRP, the applicant's supervisor and university, and the MRC.
Contact
For queries regarding the application process
Contact: Frank Stravens
Telephone: 020 7670 5408
Email: students@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk
To discuss scientific and practical aspects of the placement please contact
Contact: Professor John Frank
Telephone: 0131 332 2471
ext: 2131/2119