How can technology support mobility and functioning in people living with Lewy body dementia? PhD (funded) in Medical Studies (Health and Community Sciences) Ref: 5473

Supervisors

Professor Chris Fox, University of Exeter

Professor Helen Dawes, University of Exeter

Dr Rachael Lawson, Newcastle University

The University of Exeter’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences is inviting applications for a PhD studentship funded by the Alzheimer’s Society to commence on 22 September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £19,500 for 4 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. The student would be based in the Department of Health and Community Sciences St Luke’s Campus in Exeter. Research costs provided £7500.

There are no disease modifying treatments for DLB and improved care and adaptation to impairment is a priority. The NHS is investing £10 billion in technology and given the specific symptoms profile in DLB there is a clear need to develop technologies which can assist people with DLB for example to optimise movement and functioning prevent falls .

This studentship is part of the UK Lewy Body Dementia Doctoral Training Network (LBD-DTN). This PhD programme is available thanks to support from the Alzheimer’s Society and is designed to support students embarking on a career in dementia research, especially in Lewy body dementia. 

Click here to register for a webinar on the LBD-DTN . The event will take place  on Mon, 13 Jan, 10:00 - 11:00 GMT via Microsoft Teams. 

About the programme 

The LBD-DTN is a new PhD programme that aims to create a thriving united Lewy body dementia UK research community. Our core mission is to improve the lives of people living with LBD. 

This programme brings together supervisors at five UK centres: UCL, Newcastle, Southampton, Nottingham and Exeter, with expertise across a range of methodologies to address fundamental questions in the field of Lewy body dementia. 

Highlights of the programme are: 

Being part of an interdisciplinary collaborative programme at world class institutes

Advanced training opportunities including workshops and seminars specific to the programme 

Commitment to a positive research culture 

Opportunities to engage with patients with Lewy body dementia 

Potential for real-world impact 

This PhD project will aim to investigate the current state of research in this area, and test technologies in the Exeter BRC Vsimulator lab to explore with people with DLB and their families the potential for benefit from this technology. The project will start with a rapid realist review of literature on the use of technology to optimise different neurological/sensorimotor deficits in the context of functioning and mobility in dementia and Parkinson’s, identifying papers where DLB has been included and any evidence of what might work in this context, for whom and in what circumstances. A qualitative study with people with DLB, clinicians and their carers will examine what the requirements are and any factors for people with DLB. This evidence will be presented to stakeholders (professional and people with DLB and carers) to co-produce a map for potential technology. We will also pilot use of technology for mobility and its mechanism mobility in a group of 10 people with DLB with a view to refinement for subsequent clinical trials. 

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit. Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply, but should note that the award will only provide payment for part of the international tuition fee (~£24k) and no stipend.

International applicants need to be aware that they will have to cover the cost of their student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD. 

The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. 

The collaboration involves a project partner who is providing funding [and other material support to the project], this means there are special terms that apply to the project, these will be discussed with Candidates at Interview and fully set out in the offer letter. The collaboration with the named project partner is subject to contract. Please note full details of the project partner’s contribution and involvement with the project is still to be confirmed and may change during the course of contract negotiations. Full details will be confirmed at offer stage.

Entry requirements

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area – for example health/psychology/physiotherapy/occupational therapy/nursing. 

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information.

How to apply

Apply now

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button above. In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents 

• CV

• Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project) 

• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying) 

• Two references from referees familiar with your academic work. If your referees prefer, they can email the reference direct to PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk quoting the studentship reference number 5473.

• If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English. 

The closing date for applications is midnight on 14 February 2025. Interview date is yet to be confirmed. All application documents must be submitted in English. Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided. 

Please quote reference 5473 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

Summary