AUHE PhD opportunities

PhD opportunities in health economics

Be part of a prestigious, research-intensive university located in the centre of one of the UK’s largest, most diverse and affordable cities with a leading reputation in business, culture and sport.

The Academic Unit of Health Economics (AUHE) based in the School of Medicine hosts one of the largest groups of health economics researchers in the United Kingdom.  

The team, led by Professor David Meads, includes around 10 postgraduate researchers studying for PhD and 25 post-doctoral researchers each with expertise in a variety of health economic and econometrics methods.  Together, we conduct a wide range of economic evaluations, health technology assessments, applied econometric analyses and systematic reviews.  Our team also delivers a high-quality health economics teaching programme involving over 200 students each year, including as part of the undergraduate medical degree (MBChB), Master’s degree programmes (including MSc International Health) and two undergraduate economics modules at Leeds University Business School.  We also supervise MSc and MRes student dissertations.

Our research is multidisciplinary and based on strong collaborations across Leeds, other UK institutions and internationally.  This includes clinicians, policy makers, patients and other applied researchers, including economists and statisticians working in the Leeds University Business School, Leeds Institute for Transport Studies, Leeds Institute for Data Analytics and the Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research. 
 

Our PhD Programme

For applicants with an MSc degree featuring modules in health economics or a relevant field, or with other suitable research experience, we offer a three/four year full time (or six-year part-time) PhD programme.  

As a PhD researcher you would be an integral part of our research team, helping us push the boundaries of knowledge in new and exciting ways. Your supervisory team would include your primary supervisor, a senior AUHE academic who is responsible for overseeing your work and general training, and two or more named supervisors, one of whom may be from a collaborating research group, such as Leeds University Business School.

Your PhD study would include diverse training opportunities for all aspects of research and encourage the development of academic and generic research skills, as well as exposure to the translational interface with policy and practice.  

The University of Leeds offers a bespoke programme of courses including:

• Personal Skills e.g. Leadership and Resilience

• Professional Skills e.g. Presentation Skills and Time management

• Career-related Skills e.g. Writing CVs and Interview Technique

• Academic Skills e.g. Paper writing and Teaching

• Entrepreneurial Skills e.g. Commercial Awareness and Innovation

The actual training you choose will depend on your needs, which will be assessed in collaboration with your supervisory team.  All postgraduate researchers receive a training budget of at least £750 per annum which can be used for external training opportunities and/or academic conferences.

PGRs are welcome and encouraged to interact with the wider research group, including through the regular monthly seminar series with external speakers, monthly team meetings, annual away day and regular social events.  You will also be part of a larger, vibrant community of PGRs within the School of Medicine providing extensive support, guidance social events and opportunities for sharing ideas at every stage of the process.

Potential topics and supervisors
Prospective postgraduate researchers are very welcome to formulate a research proposal of their own choice that involves the application or development of methods in the following areas:

• Health economic evaluation and health technology assessment
• Applied econometrics and secondary data analysis
• Simulation modelling techniques
• Impact of new technologies on system wide capacity constraints (waiting times and resource availability)
• Systematic Review and evidence synthesis
• Health outcomes and preferences
• Diagnostic test evaluation, new technologies and AI
• Measurement and valuation of health
• Health inequalities and equity in health and healthcare resource allocation
• Global health
• Health and the labour market
• Incorporating green economy and sustainability in HTA

Prospective postgraduate researchers are encouraged to contact Daniel Howdon or Adam Martin (AUHE learning and teaching leads) in the first instance for a general discussion about potential research ideas, supervisors and funding.  Potential postgraduate researchers may also review the research interests of individual staff members, including those listed below, for an indication of the types of project that might be of interest:

• Applied Econometrics projects assessing health economic aspects of the social determinants of health (Adam Martin, Miaoqing Yang, Richard Mattock, Chris Bojke, Daniel Howdon Arthur Juet). The team are experienced in using secondary datasets such as Understanding Society, British Cohort Study, English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, Millenium Cohort Study and some international equivalents.
• Decision Modelling (Daniel Howdon, Richard Mattock and Armando Vargas-Palacios, Paola Cocco, Alison Smith, Bryony Dawkins)
• Simulation modelling (Armando Vargas-Palacios, Alison Smith, Paola Cocco)
• New technologies and AI (Armando Vargas-Palacios, David Meads)
• Green economy (Armando Vargas-Palacios)
• Diagnostics (Alison Smith)
• Global health (Bryony Dawkins)
• Health inequalities and equity in healthcare (Bryony Dawkins)
• Quality of life, patient-reported outcomes, patient preferences (Ed Webb, David Meads, Adam Martin, John O’Dwyer)

Funding opportunities
Our current postgraduate researchers are funded through a range of sources, including Government scholarship schemes (international), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and University of Leeds Scholarships.  The list below provides indicative examples of potential funding sources, which vary from year to year and are dependent on eligibility criteria.  Please contact us to discuss further.

University of Leeds

• https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-funding 
• Leeds Doctoral Scholarships
• Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarships
• China GREAT Scholarships and Chinese Scholarship Council 

NIHR:  Funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, funds research directly and in partnerships 

• Doctoral fellowships

Partnerships

• White Rose Social Sciences Doctoral Training (WRDTP)  collaboration between Universities (including Leeds) and ESRC
• ESRC-funded Data CDT Doctoral Training (Centre for Data Analytics, Leeds institute of Data Analytics)

The Alternative Guide to Funding - alternative, unconventional sources of funding - requires subscription. 

Current and recent PGRs
Amwaj Abugamza, 4th year PhD PGR:  Impact of COVID-19 on labour market outcomes, using Understanding Society (UKHLS) data
My experience as a postgraduate researcher at AUHE has been immensely fulfilling. I have been particularly impressed by the Unit's focus on researcher development. Weekly seminars, training workshops, and access to conferences are just a few examples of the valuable resources available to us. These opportunities have been instrumental in polishing my research skills and building a strong foundation for my academic career. 
The AUHE excels at planning events and social activities too- whether it be for away days, Christmas meals, or catch-up meetings. With the support of my supervisors and the opportunities provided by AUHE, I am confident in my ability to make significant contributions to research on the COVID-19 impact on labour market outcomes in the UK. 

Xiaoxiang Dai, 2nd year PGR, supervised by Adam Martin, Daniel Howdon, Sam Relton, Andrew Hill: Impact of obesity on labour market outcomes, using the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data
Studying at AUHE as a postgraduate researcher has been immensely rewarding. The opportunities and resources provided—such as mini master classes, seminar sessions, and writing workshops—have greatly enhanced my research skills. Furthermore, AUHE fosters a collaborative and supportive research culture, which has enriched my academic experience. I am also deeply appreciative of the supervision and guidance offered by my supervisors; their insights and feedback have been invaluable in shaping my research process.

Huahan Yang, 2nd year PGR, supervised by Daniel Howdon, Adam Martin, Bryony Dawkins, Sam Relton: Impact of contemporary economic shocks on health and financial inequalities among UK workers
Being a PhD student at AUHE is an experience filled with growth and support. My supervisors have been incredibly supportive and helpful in shaping the progress of my research, and regular meetings with them provide a clear sense of direction.  AUHE also focuses on the skills development of researchers, with weekly seminars, attendance at conferences, and opportunities to present our work, then we can gain feedback and learn from leading researchers across the different research projects. Beyond academic activities, AUHE also organizes events like away day to provide a refreshing break from routine and foster stronger bonds among peers and faculty members.
Overall, with the support of my supervisors and the enriching academic environment at AUHE, I have developed greater confidence in my PHD journey!

Recent PGR presentations and publications
All PGRs are encouraged to present their research at both internal and external meetings. The vast majority of our postgraduate researchers submit work for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals during the course of their studies.  

Frequently Asked Questions
We hope the following questions and answers will help with any general questions you may have when applying for a PhD position. 

How do I apply for a PhD position as a postgraduate researcher at the AUHE?
Applications can be made at any time. Please visit the general University webpage and carefully follow the instructions for completing an online application form. Supporting documents such as a full academic CV, research proposal, degree certificates/transcripts (or marks so far if still studying) and degree certificates and English Language qualifications (if applicable) and confirmation of funding may also be required. Additional forms and documents may also be required for those applying for scholarship and international students. 

We also require 2 academic references to support your application. Please ask your referees to send these references on your behalf, directly to the Faculty of Medicine and Health  at fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk. In order to complete the application form, you are expected to have identified and contacted a potential supervisor at AUHE whose research interests align with your topic of interest and is willing to supervise you.

When is the deadline for applications for a PhD at the AUHE?
Applications open in early September and are open throughout the year.

What Studentships may be available?
See section on Funding Opportunities

When and where will the interviews take place?
First of all, we tend to arrange an informal meeting with Dan Howdon remotely or in person to discuss research plans with potential supervisors and suitability for undertaking a PhD at the University of Leeds.  Candidates should then prepare a research plan which may be shared with potential supervisors for comment in advance of submitting a formal application to the University of Leeds.  Formal interviews then take place involving the potential supervisors and an independent assessor who will make final decisions about making a formal offer.

What other support is available?
Various types of non-funding support exist for prospective and current postgraduate researchers.

• Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education (YCEDE) – a collaboration of five universities in Yorkshire and doctoral training organisations dedicated to improving access for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Backgrounds.