Graduate Teaching Assistant PhD scholarship: Evaluating Daylight anxiety management app implementation and acceptability in diverse perinatal populations

About the Project

Applications are invited for a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) PhD scholarship in Health and Social Care commencing 01 October 2026

The scholarship is for three and a half years full-time study and covers home PhD fees, currently £5006 and pays an annual stipend at the living wage foundation rate of £22,152 per year in the academic year 2025/26 This stipend payment will increase annually based on the rate set by the living wage foundation for the duration of the scholarship.

This project is part of a Graduate Teaching Assistantshipscheme, in which the successful applicant will undertake certain teaching duties associated with the student experience, in addition to working towards a PhD qualification. They will contribute up to 180 hours of support for research or teaching related activity per academic year. This activity forms part of the scholarship and there is no additional payment. Overview of the GTA scheme

PhD Project: Evaluating Daylight anxiety management app implementation and acceptability in diverse perinatal populations

Our previous work has demonstrated higher incidence of perinatal mental health (PMH) especially anxiety, amongst women from migrant backgrounds (Marvin-Dowle & Soltani 2023). High rates of PMH in England are also noted in areas of high deprivation (OHID 2025). Persistent disparities in access to PMH services and outcomes also exist (Watson & Soltani 2019, Watson et al 2019); Felker et al 2025), with the poorest outcomes among White women with complex social backgrounds (Felker et al 2025). It is therefore essential to determine effective interventions for underserved populations.

One potential solution is Daylight, a Digital Mental Health Treatment for anxiety and worry. This is a fully automated CBT-based program developed for smartphone delivery. Robust RCTs have shown Daylight to be safe and to reduce symptoms of worry, anxiety, depression and sleep difficulties within the general population (Carl et al 2020); Miller et al 2021); Parsons et al 2025). Emerging evidence also suggests Daylight reduces GP appointments and sick notes. Due to current excessive mental health waiting lists for face-to-face UK NHS Talking Therapies, Daylight offers proactive support while the person waits for other therapies. Daylight has been reviewed for cultural sensitivity within the general population, but acceptability and practicality has not yet been determined within the maternity population especially those from underserved communities.

The doctoral project therefore focuses on evaluating Daylight implementation in diverse maternity populations, specifically women from deprived, migrant or ethnic minority backgrounds and those with complex social circumstances to ensure acceptability, usability and uptake across all populations. Engaging women from diverse backgrounds during the perinatal period will support better understanding of Daylight as a potential worry and anxiety improvement option beyond medications. Women’s feedback will also inform implementation strategies for this digital solution.

The project involves close collaboration with local NHS Trusts, charities and maternity users, therefore keen interest in co-production and community engagement are essential.

If you are interested in this project, and would like to discuss your ideas, please contact the Director of Studies, Dr Frankie Fair: f.fair@shu.ac.uk.

Sheffield as your research base: Sheffield is one of the UK’s greenest and most welcoming cities. With over a third of the city inside the Peak District National Park, outstanding cycling and walking routes, and a vibrant science and healthcare ecosystem, Sheffield offers a rare combination of natural beauty and research excellence. It is an ideal environment for both academic focus and a high quality of life — a supportive place to thrive during a PhD.

Applicants should hold: a BSc (2:1 or above, or equivalent) degree qualification in Health and Social Care, or other relevant areas. A Master’s degree qualification in a relevant area is desirable. Professional qualifications and background in Health and Social Care is desirable, but not essential. Applicants without a professional qualification should have a strong academic background in a Health and Social Care related discipline.

International / EU applicants

Please see the funding notes section of this advert for important fee information.

Sheffield Hallam University has a mandatory English language requirement of IELTS 7, or equivalent language qualification, for all applicants from countries not included in the UKVI exemption list:https://www.gov.uk/english-language/exemptions.

This qualification must have been taken within the last two years, with a score of at least 6.5 in all test areas. The qualification may be required even if you have previous qualifications from UK institutions.

Please check with Health-PGR-admissions@shu.ac.uk prior to application, as we cannot consider applications if this essential qualification is not submitted.

How to apply:

Our PhD scholarships involve full-time PhD study and a requirement that successful applicants must have completed all study and any employment by the start date of the scholarship, which is 01 October 2026.

Please complete and submit an application form: https://www.shu.ac.uk/courses/health-and-social-care-management/phd-health-and-social-care/full-time/2026

Please add the project title of the scholarship you are applying for clearly in the Personal Statement field of application form.

You must ensure that you upload:

1. A 1,500-word research proposal addressing this specific project.
2. Two letters of reference, or details of two academic referees
3. Copy of your highest degree certificate
4. Copy of your passport
5. International applicants only
   • must submit IELTS results (or equivalent) taken in the last two-years
   • must confirm that they have the personal resources to cover the scholarship fee gap set out within the funding section of this advert.

We do not accept proposals setting out an applicant's own research and cannot consider applications where the above mandatory documents have not been submitted.

If you experience issues submitting your online application, or for general enquiries please contact: DoctoralSchool-HWLS-PGR@shu.ac.uk

Submission deadline: 19 May 2026 (12 noon BST) Late applications will not be accepted.

Interviews:  16 June 2006Please note, we are unable to offer alternative interview slots once allocated to shortlisted candidates.

Funding Notes

Our scholarships are open to Home, EU and International applicants, however, the bursary will cover the Home fee only. The shortfall between the Home and EU/ International fee, currently around £12,700 per year, must be covered by the student for the 3.5-year duration of the scholarship. No additional funding will be available to assist international students with this fee gap.

Please note that the monthly stipend payments cannot be used to fund this fee gap, as they cover basic living expenses only.