Pakistan and Bangladesh to determine its scalability and sustainability.
We are looking to recruit an outstanding student to undertake a fully funded, full-time 3-year PhD project to explore the development of cardiac rehabilitation for children and young people with congenital heart disease in Pakistan.
Applicants should be fluent English speakers who will have completed a Masters degree by September 2026 and must either already be resident in Pakistan or prepared to live there for the duration of the project.
Children and young people with congenital heart conditions or other cardiovascular diseases require specialised rehabilitation to support their growth, development, and long-term health. Since standard cardiac rehabilitation programmes are primarily designed for adults, there is a critical need for paediatric-specific interventions that address young people’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs.
Within this PhD study you will develop and evaluate tailored rehabilitation strategies for paediatric populations. This work will be informed by a systematic review of existing cardiac rehabilitation interventions for congenital heart disease, qualitative co-design work involving children and young people, their carers, and health professionals, and a small feasibility study to establish the acceptability and explore parameters for future evaluation of the programme.
Matriculation will be with the University of Manchester however the successful applicant will be based at our host institution, Pakistan Institute of Learning and Living. The studentships are fully funded, University registration fees are covered, and stipend payments will be provided at the applicable local rate.
For informal enquiries please contact: Dr Amy Blakemore at amy.blakemore@manchester.ac.uk or the ACROSS research programme at global-across@glasgow.ac.uk
Entry Requirements
Applicants are expected to hold a minimum upper second class undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent). A Masters degree, in a relevant subject (e.g., psychology, health psychology, nursing) with evidence of significant research methods units completed and experience in behaviour change in the context of long-term conditions and comorbid mental health problems is desirable.
Applicants must either already be resident in Pakistan or prepared to live there for the duration of the project.
How to Apply
For information on how to apply for this project, please visit the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Doctoral Academy website (https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/). Interested candidates must first make contact with the Primary Supervisor prior to submitting a formal application, to discuss their interest and suitability for the project. On the online application form select PhD Nursing.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full Equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on the website https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/equality-diversity-inclusion/
Funding Notes
NIHR RIGHT Call ACROSS: Affordable Cardiac Rehabilitation: An Outreach Interdisciplinary Strategic Study (NIHR 205540).
Studentship funding is for a duration of three years to commence in January 2027 and covers tuition fees and an annual stipend (UKRI rate).
