About the Project
This post offers an exciting opportunity for a three-year research post with inbuilt professional development and research training by undertaking a PhD. The PhD topic is to explore the use of health economic approaches to evaluating mental health conditions experienced by young adults up to the age of 25. The post will be hosted within the Population Health Sciences department at the University of Bristol, with membership of the Bath Mental Health Research Group.
The Bath Mental Health Research Group (MHRG) is an NIHR‑funded, multi‑disciplinary research network that aims to improve mental health and wellbeing among young people, particularly those aged 12–25 in Bath, Northeast Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire. It brings together researchers, clinicians, and local communities (including young people and families) to develop and apply evidence‑based approaches that prevent mental health difficulties, improve outcomes, and widen access to support. The group’s work has a strong emphasis on early intervention, collaboration with local services, and ensuring research directly benefits the communities it serves.
The post will provide training in research methods, alongside research supervision to support the successful completion of a PhD.
Main responsibilities
- Conduct an economic evaluation of a single-session online self-help intervention for young adults with depression
- Undertake a validation study of preference-based quality of life instruments in autistic/ADHD populations
- Attend and present at academic conferences and educational meetings, nationally and internationally
- Write scientific manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals
- Obtain a PhD through the University of Bristol
Supervisory team
The post-holder will be supervised by Dr Joanna Thorn, Professor Ailsa Russell (Bath) and Dr Alba Realpe Rojas.
Dr Joanna Thorn is a health economist with methodological experience to improve the ways in which we conduct economic evaluations. She is Head of Health Economics and Health Policy (HEHP@Bristol), a dynamic group of about 50 staff and students engaged in research in economics and policy related to health.
Professor Ailsa Russell is a clinical psychologist and researcher with a focus on mental health treatment and neurodevelopmental conditions. Ailsa is the deputy director of the NIHR funded Bath Mental Health Research Group.
Dr Alba Realpe Rojas is a qualitative researcher with an interest in implementing qualitative research methods within clinical trials for interventions to improve mental health conditions.
Example projects
The student will investigate the use of the EQ-5D health-related quality of life and other relevant preference-based quality of life instruments (such as the ASCOT tool) in autistic/ADHD populations. The EQ-5D is commonly used in randomised controlled trials as an outcome measure for economic evaluations; however, work with patient and public involvement groups has suggested that autistic people find the instrument challenging to complete, potentially leading to biased outcome estimates. After conducting a systematic review to assess current understanding, use and interpretation of quality-of-life instruments in autistic/ADHD populations, the student will undertake a validation exercise to determine the psychometric properties of the instrument for a young adult autistic population. To gain insight into the ways in which the questionnaire is understood, the student will conduct cognitive interviews.
The student will also conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of a single-session self-help intervention for young adults with depression through the Action Brings Change trial (ABC-UK) trial, which is currently in progress with EQ-5D-5L and resource-use data being collected. Research has indicated that a short online support activity that involves only one session at a time of the participant’s choosing has the potential to improve outcomes for young adults experiencing depression.
Support
The PhD programme will involve developing both qualitative and quantitative research skills, including data analysis and interpretation, systematic review methods, cognitive interviewing techniques, qualitative analysis skills using NVivo software, quantitative analysis and Stata software skills.
The post holder will be a member of both the Health Economics and Health Policy group at Bristol (HEHP@Bristol) and the Bristol Trials Centre (BTC) with access to formal and informal research training and support from experienced health economists and trialists. The post holder will also be a member of the Bath Mental Health Research Group, with access to the research and training infrastructure. The post holder will have access to Bristol Medical School’s wide range of short courses.
Candidate requirements
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in health economics with a particular interest in mental health conditions, and is likely to have completed a Masters’ degree in Health Economics to a high standard. The candidate will have very strong numerical and analytical skills and a willingness to conduct qualitative interviews.
The candidate will require excellent time management skills, the ability to manage competing priorities, the ability and willingness to learn new skills and adapt to potentially changing demands of the post, and a willingness to work flexible hours and travel locally and within the UK, if necessary.
We welcome applications from those with non-standard qualifications who can demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills developed in the workplace, or elsewhere, relevant to the programme of study.
Funding
This is a 3-year PhD which includes a salary of £39,906 up to £58,225 (depending on prior experience) and home tuition fees. This project is available for both home and international students, but international students will have to cover the shortfall in fee funding through other mechanisms. Please note this equates to approximately £22,394 per year for 3 years. Please only apply if you have secured funding to cover these fees. Research consumable funding will be available.
How to apply
Submit your application via the University of Bristol portal. Search for then select ‘Population Health Sciences PhD)’. Click ‘Apply’ next to the September 2026 start.
Before applying, please review our admissions statement, which includes our entry requirements and list of the documents needed for an application.
The anticipated start date is between September 2026 and 1 January 2027.
Application enquiries
For questions about the project, please contact Dr Joanna Thorn (joanna.thorn@bristol.ac.uk). For questions about applying, please contact our admissions team at fohs-pgadmissions@bristol.ac.uk.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview in August.
Closing date: 20th August 2026
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