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- Tasks: Conduct research on population wellbeing using linked data to inform health and social care services.
- Company: Swansea University, a leader in interdisciplinary research and innovation.
- Benefits: Full tuition coverage and a competitive stipend of £21,805 per year.
- Other info: Collaborative PhD with strong support from local health and social care partnerships.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in community health and wellbeing through impactful research.
- Qualifications: Must have a UK honours degree or equivalent; non-traditional backgrounds encouraged.
The predicted salary is between 21805 - 21805 £ per year.
Organisation/Company: Swansea University
Department: Central Research
Field: Sociology, Psychological sciences, Demography, Information science, Computer science, Database management, Mathematics
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions: PhD Positions
Application Deadline: 8 May 2026 - 11:59 (Europe/London)
Country: United Kingdom
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Hours Per Week: 35
Offer Starting Date: 1 Oct 2026
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
Context: Population Needs Assessments (PNAs) are a statutory requirement under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 and provide the primary evidence base for regional planning, service transformation and commissioning across health, social care and wider wellbeing systems. In West Glamorgan (Swansea and Neath Port Talbot), the Regional PNA is developed through collaboration between Swansea Bay University Health Board, local authorities, the third sector and the Regional Partnership Board, and informs Public Service Board priorities.
This collaborative PhD builds on a ten-year programme of interdisciplinary research by Professor Kemp and Dr Fisher that conceptualizes wellbeing through connections to self, others and nature, aligning closely with the preventative, place-based and long-term principles of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act.
In Wales, responsibilities for health, wellbeing and the natural environment are formally aligned through national policy and delivery structures led by Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales, yet PNAs currently have limited analytical capacity to examine how social, relational and environmental determinants intersect with wellbeing, inequality and service use over time. This PhD is embedded within statutory partnerships and will strengthen the population-level evidence available to support PNA development.
Rationale: PNAs are intended to support preventative, long-term and place-based approaches to wellbeing but are often constrained by fragmented data across sectors and life stages and by reliance on cross-sectional analyses. The Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank enables secure linkage of anonymised population data across health, education, social care and administrative systems, creating opportunities for life-course, family-level and spatial analyses that incorporate wider determinants of wellbeing, including local environments and access to nature.
Probable aims: The aim of the PhD is to develop and apply a theoretically informed, life-course framework for understanding population wellbeing and its determinants using linked administrative and survey data, generating evidence to inform service transformation and commissioning within the West Glamorgan PNA. The project will pay particular attention to inequalities across communities and explore comparisons with regional, national or international data where comparable indicators and infrastructures exist.
Likely research questions: Indicative questions include: how theory can inform interpretation of wellbeing, mental health and need across the life course using linked population data; what inequalities in wellbeing, mental health and service use exist across West Glamorgan and how these vary by place, deprivation and access to local environments; how adult wellbeing and service use intersect with physical health, socioeconomic disadvantage and family context; what intergenerational relationships can be observed between parental mental health and children’s wellbeing; and how evidence on place-based determinants, including access to nature, can support Regional Partnership Boards and Public Service Boards in meeting statutory duties for prevention and long-term wellbeing.
Scope, methods and design: The core empirical focus is West Glamorgan and the Regional PNA and comparative work beyond the region. The project will use linked, anonymised data accessed via the SAIL Databank, drawing on health, education, social care, survey and administrative datasets, and other relevant sources of data that may be identified as the project unfolds. Methods will include descriptive mapping, regression and multilevel modelling, family-level and spatial analyses, and exploratory data-driven approaches, guided by explicit theoretical frameworks. Analyses will combine longitudinal and cross-sectional approaches as appropriate. Findings will inform the West Glamorgan PNA, and enable comparisons with regional, national or international wellbeing indicators.
To receive WGSSS studentship funding, you must have qualifications or experience equivalent to a UK honours degree at a first or upper second-class level, or a master's degree. Students with non-traditional academic backgrounds are also welcome to apply.
Note for international and European applicants: If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in.
Additional Information: This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £21,805 for October 2026).
Health and Well-being and Data Science: WGSSS Studentship: A Linked Whole-Population Data Appro[...] in London employer: Swansea University
Contact Detail:
Swansea University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Health and Well-being and Data Science: WGSSS Studentship: A Linked Whole-Population Data Appro[...] in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, attend events, and connect with alumni from Swansea University. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and practising common questions. Make sure you can articulate how your skills align with their needs, especially in health and well-being data science.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply through job boards; head over to our website and submit your application directly. It shows initiative and gives you a better chance of standing out!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews with a thank-you email. It’s a simple gesture that keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Health and Well-being and Data Science: WGSSS Studentship: A Linked Whole-Population Data Appro[...] in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the specific requirements of the PhD position. We want to see how you can contribute to the research on population wellbeing and its determinants.
Showcase Relevant Experience: Don’t forget to include any relevant academic or professional experience that relates to health, wellbeing, or data science. We’re keen to see how your background can enhance our understanding of the complex factors affecting population wellbeing.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and get straight to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Swansea University
✨Know Your Research
Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of the Population Needs Assessments (PNAs) and how they relate to wellbeing in West Glamorgan. Be ready to discuss how your background in sociology, psychology, or data science can contribute to this interdisciplinary project.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your understanding of data analysis methods relevant to the role, such as regression and multilevel modelling. Bring examples of past projects where you've successfully applied these techniques, especially in a health or social care context.
✨Engage with the Community Focus
Highlight your awareness of community needs and how they intersect with health and wellbeing. Discuss any previous experience working with local authorities or third-sector organisations, and how you can leverage that to inform service transformation.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the project’s aims and the methodologies involved. This shows your genuine interest and helps you understand how you can fit into the team and contribute effectively to the research goals.