An exploration of the nutritional impact factors in the acute care of older adults and prolonged lengths-of-stay (LOS) and delayed hospital discharge

About the Project

Project Key Words:Nursing, Midwifery, CARE Collaboration

Post summary

Applications are invited to undertake a full-time or part-time MSc by Research in the Department of Nursing and Healthcare, School of Health Sciences (SETU). The CARE Collaboration are looking to recruit 1 MSc candidate under this competition subject to available funding.

The successful candidate on the project ‘An exploration of the nutritional impact factors in the acute care of older adults and prolonged lengths-of-stay (LOS) and delayed hospital discharge’ will develop their research proposal with their assigned supervisors in semester 1 of the academic year 2026/2027.

This project is supported by the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit, South-East, the Health Service Executive and South East Technological University (SETU) through the CARE Collaboration initiative.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Be a registered nurse or midwife on the active Register of Nurses and Midwives held by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland; or be eligible to be so registered.
• Applicants should hold or expect to attain, Honours Degree (minimum 2:1) in nursing or midwifery.

Desirable

• First class undergraduate degree in Nursing or Midwifery.
• Experience working in the acute Irish health care service.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• An interest in research and a willingness to develop skills in research methods and processes.

Desirable

• Experience of contributing to research activity, for example through study or work.

Skills & Competencies

Essential

• Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English, please see SETU’s English Language Requirements for details.
• In order to be shortlisted for interview, you must meet the SETU English speaking requirements so please provide evidence in your application.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and analytical skills.
• Computer skills, Microsoft Office, Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint.
• The candidate must be highly motivated and self-directed with good time and project management skills.
• The candidate should be willing to travel for research purposes.

Desirable

• Demonstrate competency in communicating with health professionals and service users.

Further information

For any informal queries, please contact the CARE Collaboration Co-Ordinator via email care.collaboration@setu.ie

Application procedure

Complete the online Application Form from the SETU website quoting the advert reference code WD_2025_12_SPONS.

Please ensure that you upload all supporting documents as part of your submission.

Please note that applications must be submitted by this route.

For queries relating to the application and admission process, please contact the Postgraduate Admissions Office researchadmissions@setu.ie or telephone +353 (0)51 302883.

University Website https://www.setu.ie/

The University will short-list and interview those applicants who provide the most suitable information in terms of experience, qualifications and other requirements relevant to the scholarship.

SOUTH EAST TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY (SETU) IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Funding Notes

Research Group: CARE (Clinical Academic Research Excellence) Collaboration

Duration: 2 years Full Time (24 months)
or
3 years Part Time (36 months)

Status: Full-time/part-time: Full Time or Part Time

Funding information: MSc Scholarship funded by the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit, HSE South East (CARE Collaboration)

Value of the scholarship per year for two Years:

Stipend: €20,000 (Full-time) or €12,000 (Part-time) per annum

Fees: € 5, 750 (Full-time) or Pro-rata (Part-time) per annum

Research Costs: €2,000 per annum

Closing date and time: Wednesday, 20 May at 4pm Irish Time

Interview date: June/July 2026

MSc commencement date: September 2026