PhD studentships in Parkinsons’ disease research

Applications are invited by Queen’s University Belfast for three PhD studentships in Parkinson’s disease research as part of a cohort of nine linked PhD studentship positions across Ireland in the exciting PD-LIFE project. 

PD-LIFE is an all-island emerging hub of excellence that unites researchers, clinicians, people with Parkinson’s, and advocacy partners to transform the understanding and care of Parkinson’s disease (PD) across Ireland. Focussing on stigma, gender and culture, mental health, physical activity, and wearable technology, the consortium projects will generate integrated, person-centred evidence to improve quality of life and support innovative interventions, foster cross-border collaboration, and train and mentor the next generation of Parkinson’s research leaders.

PD-LIFE is a consortium across 5 universities in Ireland (QUB, UCC, UU, TCD and UL). Students will receive supervision from an interdisciplinary team across 2 or more universities. They will also receive extensive training in PD from the consortium’s clinical and research experts, and will gain transversal skills in relevant digital tools; research inclusion, accessibility, and methodology considerations; and participatory and interdisciplinary research approaches. Students will receive mentorship from the wider group, with opportunities for networking and presentation to the wider group (more than 40 researchers, clinicians, PD advocacy groups and our PPI panel). 

Students are expected to spend one year outside their base university in later years of studentship and to undertake any required additional training in research integrity, GDPR, and Good Clinical Practice required for the project or the hosting universities.

   

PhD project 1: Investigating Stigma Associated with Motor Changes and Speech Disturbances in Parkinson’s Disease. School of Nursing and Midwifery, QUB. 

This full-time 3 year PhD studentship focuses on how people with Parkinson’s and their carers experience stigma related to changes in movement and speech, considering gender and cultural influences. The studentship forms part of the all-island PD-LIFE consortium, offering cross-university mentorship, peer support, and opportunities to collaborate and train across partner institutions.

This is a funded project, covering tuition fees and a stipend for 3 years, as well as a laptop, travel and research costs. For full project details, see: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-research/phd-opportunities/investigating-stigma-associated-with-motor-changes-and-speech-disturbances-in-parkinsons-disease.html

Academic supervisors: 

Dr Gary Mitchell (Gary.mitchell@qub.ac.uk, QUB Nursing)

Dr Matthew Rodger (m.rodger@qub.ac.uk, QUB Psychology)

Dr Emma Gleeson (e.gleeson@ucc.ie, UCC Clinical Therapies)

 

PhD project 2: Mental Health Priorities of People Living with Parkinson’s; a PD-LIFE project. School of Psychology, QUB. 

This full-time 3 year PhD studentship will focus on the mental health priorities of people living with Parkinson’s disease using a range of methodologies (which may include systematic reviews, Delphi studies, and quantitative/qualitative analyses) to identify & reach consensus on mental health priorities for this population.  The studentship forms part of the all-island PD-LIFE consortium, offering cross-university mentorship, peer support, and opportunities to collaborate and train across partner institutions.

This is a funded project, covering tuition fees and a stipend for 3 years, as well as a laptop, travel and research costs. For full project details, see: Mental Health Priorities of People Living with Parkinson’s: a PD-LIFE project. | PhD Opportunities | Queen's University Belfast

Academic supervisors: 

Prof. Donncha Hanna (donncha.hanna@qub.ac.uk, QUB Psychology)

Dr Joe Kane (j.kane@qub.ac.uk, QUB Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences)

Dr Fiadhnait O'Keeffe (fokeeffe@ucc.ie, UCC Applied Psychology)

 

PhD project 3:  Cultural- and gender-related experiences of Parkinson’s across Ireland: a PD-LIFE project. School of Psychology, QUB. 

This full-time 3 year PhD studentship focuses on cultural- and gender-related experiences of PD across Ireland, including unmet needs, as well as culture and gender/sex impacts in the overall project data. The studentship forms part of the all-island PD-LIFE consortium, offering cross-university mentorship, peer support, and opportunities to collaborate and train across partner institutions.

This is a funded project, covering tuition fees and a stipend for 3 years, as well as a laptop, travel and research costs. For full project details, see: Cultural- and gender-related experiences of Parkinson’s across Ireland: a PD-LIFE project. | PhD Opportunities | Queen's University Belfast

Academic supervisors: 

Prof. Ioana Latu (Ioana.Latu@qub.ac.uk, QUB Psychology)

Dr Phoebe McKenna-Plumley (p.mckenna@qub.ac.uk, QUB Psychology)

Prof. Aideen Sullivan (a.sullivan@ucc.ie, UCC Anatomy & Neuroscience)

 

 

MOBILITY

As part of the PD-LIFE structure, the student may spend up to one year working at a partner university elsewhere in Ireland during the later stages of the studentship. This will provide additional supervision, access to complementary expertise, and opportunities for deeper collaboration within the consortium. The exact direction of the work may evolve over time, refined in consultation with supervisors and aligned with the overall goals of PD-LIFE.

Please note, this PhD is available as a ‘with publications’ model, with a supervisory team experienced in supporting doctoral researchers to publish their literature review, study protocol, and associated findings in high-impact international (Q1) journals, with funding for open access publication provided by the host institution.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
THIS STUDENTSHIP IS OPEN TO NI/ROI APPLICANTS ONLY.

You can only apply to one project.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Please ensure that you submit all supporting documents with your application (UG and Masters transcript and award certificates).

The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Psychology/Neuroscience/Medicine/Nursing or any other field related to Parkinson’s,  from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the relevant school.

HOW TO APPLY
Complete the online application by clicking on the APPLY NOW button.

Applicants for this course are required to upload a PDF cover letter detailing their interests and experiences related to the chosen project. This cover letter should be no less than 600 words and no more than 900 words.

Closing date: Friday 13th February 2026
Anticipated interview date: March 2026 (Date tbc)

Funding Information

This PhD studentship is fully funded through PD-LIFE under the North South Research Programme, supported by the Shared Island Fund and administered by the Higher Education Authority (HEA). The award covers full doctoral tuition fees for three years, an annual stipend, and additional support for research costs, training, travel, and required equipment (such as a laptop)