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- Tasks: Conduct research on OTC healthcare sales data for community infection surveillance.
- Company: Join the UK Health Security Agency and Nottingham University Business School in impactful health research.
- Benefits: Enjoy a funded PhD with a stipend, tuition coverage, and hands-on experience.
- Other info: Work primarily at UKHSA in Birmingham, with interdisciplinary supervision and real-world data application.
- Why this job: Make a difference in public health while developing valuable analytical and data science skills.
- Qualifications: Must have a relevant degree or Master's with quantitative focus; data science skills are a plus.
The predicted salary is between 20400 - 20400 ÂŁ per year.
PhD Studentship: Evaluating the use of longitudinal over-the-counter healthcare sales data as a source of syndromic surveillance for community-based infections
3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Area
Nottingham University Business School
Location
UK Other
Closing Date
Monday 14 July 2025
Reference
SOC584
Evaluating the use of longitudinal over-the-counter healthcare sales data as a source of syndromic surveillance for community-based infections
UK Health Security Agency and Nottingham University Business School
The mission of the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is to provide health security for England by protecting the population from infectious diseases and other hazards. UKHSA does this by monitoring infectious disease trends and outbreaks using systems that collect information over time and allow unusual changes to be detected. While these normally count laboratory test results for particular pathogens, UKHSA also has also invested in national “syndromic surveillance” systems (managed by the UKHSA Real-time Syndromic Surveillance Team) that collect information on symptoms reported daily to the NHS (including to NHS111, general practitioners and emergency departments). While UKHSA’s existing syndromic surveillance systems have previously relied on use of NHS healthcare services, citizens are increasingly using self -funded services via pharmacies, getting both medicines and health advice to treat common infections without seeing a doctor. The vast “smart data” that these interactions are producing offers much potential to improve detection of future outbreaks, and augment traditional NHS data sources.
As a result, UKHSA’s Real-time Syndromic Surveillance Team are working with N/LAB at the Nottingham University Business School to explore whether we can use anonymised sales of pharmacy over-the-counter (OTC) medicines as a source of syndromic surveillance for diseases in the community. N/LAB is a centre of excellence, developing and applying innovative research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Human Behaviour in projects targeting social good. Research at N/LAB focuses on the development and application of innovative computational methods using Big Data, Behavioural Science and Machine Learning to understand behaviour through the lens of digital footprint/“smart data” datasets, cutting across sectors ranging through health, retail, mobility, energy and communications.
This exciting PhD programme will first use qualitative methods to investigate how the public access and use OTC medications for a range of common infectious diseases such as gastrointestinal (GI) infections, respiratory infections and sore throats. Using GI infections as a case study, the project will compare trends in OTC medication sales to other UKHSA surveillance datasets to see if OTC sales can be used to monitor GI infection activity and better predict outbreaks. The PhD offers the unique opportunity to develop skills in analytical, statistical and data science techniques, working with real world data to provide recommendations for UKHSA on how pharmacy OTC data could be used for surveillance in the future.
The project will be supported by interdisciplinary supervision team at the Nottingham University Business School and UKHSA. The successful candidate will spend around 75% of their time working at UKHSA (Birmingham) and 25% at the Nottingham University Business School. The successful candidate will be registered as a post-graduate student at the Nottingham University Business School, but they will hold an academic honorary contract at UKHSA. The student will be supervised by Prof James Goulding (Nottingham University Business School) and Prof Tracey Thornley (University of Nottingham), Dr Alex Elliot, Dr Nicola Love and Prof Charles Beck (UKHSA).
Qualifications:
Applicants must hold or expect to hold a first or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent), or a Master’s degree from a relevant discipline with a substantial quantitative component (such as medical/biomedical sciences, epidemiology, public health, health data science). Experience or interest in working in public health or epidemiology or similar is desirable. Knowledge and evidenced experience of data science analytical packages and R or Python would be advantageous.
Funding
The project is funded by the UKHSA and Nottingham University Business School. As a UK public body, UKHSA can only accept applications from UK students. The funding covers the tuition fees and provides an annual stipend for three years (currently at ÂŁ25,439 for 2025-2026).
Applications and interviews:
For more information or questions about this PhD please contact nicola.love@ukhsa.gov.uk .
To be considered for this PhD please send a copy of your CV and a personal statement up to 500 words explaining your suitability and experience to-date to nicola.love@ukhsa.gov.uk .
The application deadline is 23:59 hours on Monday 14 July 2025. Please note we may close this opportunity early if we fill the position.
Interviews will be held after the application deadline. In-person interviews are preferred and will be held at the UKHSA offices in central Birmingham (23 Stephenson Street B2 4BH). To determine suitability of candidates an analytical test may be undertaken.
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PhD Studentship: Evaluating the use of longitudinal over-the-counter healthcare sales data as a[...] employer: University Of Nottingham
Contact Detail:
University Of Nottingham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land PhD Studentship: Evaluating the use of longitudinal over-the-counter healthcare sales data as a[...]
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in syndromic surveillance and over-the-counter healthcare sales data. Understanding how these data sources are currently being used can give you an edge in discussions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in public health and epidemiology. Attend relevant conferences or webinars to meet people who work at UKHSA or similar organisations, as personal connections can often lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your analytical skills, particularly in R or Python. Consider working on small projects or contributing to open-source initiatives that involve data analysis to showcase your abilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for the analytical test mentioned in the job description by practising with sample data sets. This will help you feel more confident and demonstrate your problem-solving skills during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace PhD Studentship: Evaluating the use of longitudinal over-the-counter healthcare sales data as a[...]
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Project: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description. Understand the objectives of the PhD project and how your background aligns with the research focus on over-the-counter healthcare sales data.
Craft a Strong Personal Statement: Your personal statement should clearly articulate your suitability for the role. Highlight relevant academic achievements, any experience in public health or epidemiology, and your familiarity with data science tools like R or Python.
Tailor Your CV: Ensure your CV is tailored to the specific requirements of the PhD position. Emphasise your quantitative skills, relevant coursework, and any research experience that relates to the project.
Follow Application Instructions: Make sure to send your application materials to the correct email address (nicola.love@ukhsa.gov.uk) and adhere to the word limit for your personal statement. Double-check for any additional documents that may be required.
How to prepare for a job interview at University Of Nottingham
✨Understand the Project Scope
Make sure you thoroughly read and understand the project description. Familiarise yourself with the concepts of syndromic surveillance and how over-the-counter healthcare sales data can be used in public health. This will help you articulate your thoughts and show your genuine interest in the research.
✨Showcase Relevant Skills
Highlight your analytical, statistical, and data science skills during the interview. Be prepared to discuss your experience with R or Python, as well as any relevant coursework or projects that demonstrate your capability in handling large datasets.
✨Prepare for the Analytical Test
Since an analytical test may be part of the interview process, brush up on your data analysis techniques. Practice solving problems using real-world data sets, and be ready to explain your thought process and methodology clearly.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the PhD programme, the supervisory team, and the collaboration between UKHSA and Nottingham University Business School. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the position aligns with your career goals.