PhD: Implementation Science & Health Innovation

Award summary

100% of home tuition fees and annual stipend at UKRI rates (2026–27). This studentship is open to home fee paying applicants only.

Interested in how health innovations move into practice? This project will examine how implementation considerations can be embedded earlier in innovation pathways to inform policy and healthcare decision-making. Although horizon scanning identifies new health and care innovations, it rarely considers factors influencing implementation. The PhD will be co‑developed with the student and examine how implementation considerations can be embedded within the horizon scanning and foresight space to inform policy and decision‑making.

It is expected to include a range of research methods and the development of frameworks or tools to support adoption‑ready innovation.

1

September 2026

3 years full‑time

Newcastle University

• Professor Dawn Craig, Newcastle University
• Professor Paul Wilson, University of Manchester
• Dr Pauline Addis, Newcastle University

Applicants should have (expect to achieve) at least a 2:1 honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject, such as health sciences, biomedical engineering, or related discipline.

A strong interest in implementation science, innovation adoption, or health systems research is essential, alongside an interest in horizon scanning and foresight.

Experience of qualitative, quantitative, or mixed‑methods research would be advantageous.

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in each sub‑skill).