How we support research careers
Public health research is entering a phase of transformation following the publication of the Academy of Medical Sciences report ‘Health of the Public 2040’
Public health research is entering a phase of transformation following the publication of the Academy of Medical Sciences report ‘Health of the Public 2040’. There is a drive to build on existing strengths to make the UK the world leader in public health and prevention research, and to meet the substantial public health challenges we face.
We want to see more research that is useful, timely and accessible to those responsible for delivering policies and services that ultimately protect and improve the health of the population. We need research that helps answer the most important questions facing policy makers, Local Authorities and service providers. To do this we need to inspire the next generation of academics into public health research with the option to combine academic research with practice as a career pathway.
The School is committed to equipping our trainees with the tools to develop and build a research career in public health, by providing options to combine academic research with practice and a range of training and development opportunities. We aim to provide a supportive environment for our trainees in which they can thrive through training, networking, mentoring, guidance and collaboration between members and their peers. Information on our programme of work can be found in our capacity building development plan.
We provide a range of training opportunities for those interested in pursuing a career in public health research including internships, PhD studentships, and pre and post-doctoral fellowships. More information about these opportunities are listed below.
SPHR summer internships in public health research
The summer internships are aimed at undergraduate students with an interest in a career in public health research. The funded internships offer support for six – eight-week projects supervised by SPHR Early Career Researcher (ECRs), Fellows and PhD students. Find out more about our internships.
SPHR pre-doctoral fellowship awards in public health research
Our pre-doctoral fellowships offers up to 24 months for individuals with a strong academic record who wish to gain experience of research in public health. Fellows can access skills training in topics such as epidemiology, statistics, health economics, qualitative methods, health services research and developing and evaluating complex public health interventions by attending courses and working on a variety of pre-existing research projects. The goal of the fellowship is for the Fellow to gain experience, knowledge and, skills and to prepare an application to undertake a PhD in public health research in a way that supports the capacity and training needs for the future public health research workforce. The fellowship covers the Fellow’s salary with some research and training costs. Find out more about our Fellows and what we expect from them.
SPHR PhD studentships in public health research
Our PhD students all have a strong academic record and a passion to develop a career in public health research. The majority are aligned with our research programmes and themes. Each student benefits from cross-member and practice involvement in their supervision and opportunities for short, practice-based placements. Find out more about our PhD students.
SPHR post-doctoral launching fellowships in public health research
Our post-doctoral launching fellowships offer up to 24 months for individuals with a strong academic record who wish to become an independent public health researcher but one that is closely connected to practice. The goal of these fellowships is for the Fellow to publish papers from their PhD and write fellowship or grant application(s) to secure further funding. The Launching Fellows will receive training and development opportunities provided by SPHR, the NIHR Academy and host organisation that equips them to undertake research that meets the substantial public health challenges we face in the UK in the 21st Century. The fellowships cover the Fellow’s salary with some research and training costs. Find out more about our Fellows and what we expect from them.
SPHR transdisciplinary placements
Our transdisciplinary placements scheme offers funding for short placements of around 6–8 weeks aimed at those currently working outside of public health, but in a relevant field, who want to gain experience of academic public health research. Successful candidates are based at one of our member institutions and contribute to an SPHR research project, gaining experience of academic public health research with the support of an SPHR researcher supervisor. Further information about the scheme can be found here.
SPHR transdisciplinary fellowships
Our transdisciplinary fellowships offer up to 24 months for individuals with a strong academic record in a disciplines from which public health researchers are not traditionally drawn. The goal of these fellowships is for the Fellow to undertake a Masters in Public Health and publish papers, and write fellowship or grant application(s) to secure further funding. The fellows receive training and development opportunities provided by SPHR, the NIHR Academy and host organisation that equips them to undertake research that meets the substantial public health challenges we face in the UK in the 21st Century. You can find our more about the scheme here.
PhD by Publication scheme for SPHR researchers
This scheme is for individuals that are employed as SPHR researchers whose circumstances are such that they cannot pursue this route to a PhD and find their opportunities for progression limited by not having one. We wish to tackle this inequity as part of our EDI agenda and support SPHR researchers in these circumstances to obtain a PhD by publication at one of our Member institutions, and to provide bursaries to cover the cost of registration and submission fees. You can find out more about the scheme here.