Developing and validating a specific fall-risk increasing drugs charter for Parkinson’s disease harnessing real-world evidence

About the Project

This project represents an exciting opportunity to work with big datasets to deliver true translational impact. By harnesses multiple large, well characterised cohorts of PD to develop and validate a new classification tool specifically for people with PD to understand the impact of medications and fall risk, there is scope for real innovation in healthcare.

The studentship is based within a large interdisciplinary research group

The supervisory team

Training opportunities and international networking are planned. Collaboration with leaders in the field through face to face and virtual meetings will

– Translational impact

Collaboration – international networking – training opportunities – multidisciplinary, multicultural research group -

Opportunities

Falls are one of the most common and serious complications experienced by people living with Parkinson’s disease, often leading to injury, hospitalisation, and reduced quality of life. Certain medications can increase fall risk, but guidance on identifying and managing these drugs specifically for people with Parkinson’s disease remains limited.

This PhD project will develop and validate a Parkinson’s disease–specific “fall-risk-increasing drugs” charter to support safer prescribing and medication review. The student will use large real-world healthcare datasets alongside clinical expertise to identify medications that may contribute to fall risk in Parkinson’s disease and to evaluate their impact in routine clinical practice.

Working within a multidisciplinary team spanning clinical pharmacology, neurology, and pharmacoepidemiology, the student will apply advanced methods in real-world data analysis, including large-scale electronic health record analysis and observational research methods. The project will also involve engagement with clinicians and potentially patient groups to ensure that the resulting charter is clinically meaningful and implementable.

This project offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to improving medication safety for people living with Parkinson’s disease while gaining valuable skills in real-world evidence generation, pharmacoepidemiology, and translational research. The findings have the potential to inform clinical practice and future guidelines aimed at reducing falls and improving patient outcomes.

Funding

Students who have, or are expecting to attain, at least an upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, are invited to apply. Funding is available for Home (UK) students to cover tuition fees, a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (indicative amount in year 1 in 2026-27, £21,805) and research costs, for four years. Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates. There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights etc.

Funding for this studentship is awarded on a competitive basis and is not guaranteed; availability will depend on the outcome of the selection process and subject to final approval by the University.

HOW TO APPLY

Please complete the following application form – Google Form

Applicants can only apply for 1 project; any additional applications will not be accepted.

Applicants should send the following documents to FMSstudentships@newcastle.ac.uk:

• a CV (including contact details of at least two academic (or other relevant) referees).
• a Cover letter – stating your project choice, as well as including additional information you feel is pertinent to your application.
• copies of your relevant undergraduate degree transcripts and certificates.
• a copy of your IELTS or TOEFL English language certificate (where required)
• a copy of your passport (photo page).

A GUIDE TO THE FORMAT REQUIRED FOR THE APPLICATION DOCUMENTS IS AVAILABLE

Please submit your documents in the following format only:

• each document should be submitted as a separate attachment and should be named as follows: candidate surname, candidate name – document type. For example: Jones, Jamie – CV; Jones, Jamie – cover letter.
• Please submit .pdf documents where possible for your CV, cover letter, transcripts and certificates. Do not submit photos of certificates.
• Do not combine documents into one pdf. You may zip separate documents into a zip file to send via email if required.
• When emailing your application, please use the email subject header: FMS PhD Application 2026

Applications not meeting these criteria may be rejected.

Informal enquiries may be made to the lead supervisor of the project you are interested in.

The deadline for all applications is 12 noon BST (UK time) on Wednesday 20th May 2026.