Co-design of an NHS peri-operative prehabilitation and rehabilitation pathway for colorectal cancer: an action research approach (M2653)

About the Project

University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is seeking to attract a PhD candidate of outstanding ability and commitment to join its vibrant and growing programme of internationally excellent research.

This project will co-design and evaluate an NHS-integrated peri-operative prehabilitation and rehabilitation pathway for patients undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer, with key focus on personalised exercise interventions. In partnership with NHS Lanarkshire, patients, clinicians, and community stakeholders, the study will use an action research approach to iteratively design, implement, and refine a scalable, patient-centred care pathway.

The pathway will aim to optimise physical readiness for surgery and support recovery through exercise prescription, informed by baseline fitness, clinical status, and patient needs. Exercise interventions will be designed to be accessible, progressive, and adaptable across the peri-operative period, supported by behavioural strategies and digital tools to enhance engagement, adherence, and monitoring.

Co-design principles will underpin the project, ensuring that patients and healthcare professionals shape the content, delivery, and integration of the pathway within existing NHS services. The action research framework will enable continuous refinement through iterative cycles of implementation, evaluation, and feedback, supporting both feasibility and real-world applicability.

The study will be delivered across NHS and community settings, with outcomes focused on feasibility (recruitment, retention, adherence), patient experience, and pathway implementation. Exploratory outcomes will assess changes in physical fitness, functional capacity, and recovery trajectories.

This project will generate practical evidence for embedding personalised exercise-based prehabilitation and rehabilitation within colorectal cancer care pathways, with potential to improve surgical outcomes, enhance recovery, and inform wider NHS implementation.

The candidate/eligibility criteria

Applicants should hold, or be expected to obtain, a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in Sport and Exercise Science, Clinical Exercise Physiology or a related discipline. A Master’s degree in a relevant area is desirable.

A strong interest in applied clinical research and healthcare innovation is essential. The candidate should demonstrate a sound understanding of exercise prescription and progression in clinical populations. Experience in data collection with human participants would be advantageous.

Experience or training in exercise delivery for clinical populations, particularly cancer (e.g. CanRehab Trust or equivalent) and/or relevant qualifications in working with people with long-term conditions (e.g. CIMSPA-aligned qualifications), is desirable.

Candidates who are registered, or working towards registration, as Clinical Exercise Physiologists (e.g. via the Academy for Healthcare Science) are encouraged to apply. Strong organisational and communication skills are required, alongside the ability to work independently and collaboratively with patients, clinicians, and external partners.

The successful candidate must meet the following criteria:

• be a UK National (meeting residency requirements),
• or have settled status,
• or have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements),
• or have indefinite leave to remain.

Additional Supervisor; Mr James Saldanha. For more information, or to discuss the project informally, please contact Dr Mia Burleigh - mia.burleigh@uws.ac.uk

Application Deadline: 15/06/2026

Start Date: 01/10/2026

Applications must be made via the UWS Online System.

Funding Notes

This is a fully funded PhD Studentship and includes payment of tuition fees for 36 months at the home/UK rate and an annual maintenance stipend equivalent to UKRI minimum stipend rate (£21,805pa from 01/10/2026).

The successful candidate must meet the following criteria:

• be a UK National (meeting residency requirements),
• or have settled status,
• or have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements),
• or have indefinite leave to remain