Funding

Competition funded (UK/EU and international students)

Project code

PSH50990127

Department

School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences

Start dates

October 2027

Application deadline

15 January 2027

Applications are invited for a fully-funded three year PhD to commence in October 2027.

The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Science and Health within the School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences, and will be supervised by Dr Amy Wright, Dr Tim Exell and Dr Carolina Goncalves. 

Candidates applying for this project may be eligible to compete for one of a small number of bursaries available. Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27). Bursary recipients will also receive a £1,500 for consumables, conference, project or training costs.

Costs for student visa and immigration health surcharge are not covered by this bursary. For further guidance and advice visit our international and EU students ‘Visa FAQs’ page.

This funded PhD is only open to new students who do not hold a previous doctoral level qualification.

The work on this project could involve:

  • Investigating how patient-reported, functional and biomechanical outcomes relate to meaningful quality of life for those with limb difference.
  • Training and development in clinical biomechanics, gait analysis, wearable technology and mixed-methods research.
  • Working alongside leading researchers, NHS clinicians and people with limb difference to develop and evaluate patient-centred approaches to measuring recovery.

Lower-limb difference can significantly affect mobility, independence, physical activity and quality of life. Whilst prosthetic rehabilitation aims to restore function and support individuals in returning to meaningful activities, understanding what constitutes successful quality of life, and in turn recovery, remains a challenge. Traditional clinical assessments provide valuable information about physical function and walking performance but may not fully capture the experiences and priorities of people living with limb difference.

This PhD offers an exciting opportunity to bridge the gap between what matters to patients and what we measure in rehabilitation. By bringing together patient-reported experiences, clinical function and objective biomechanics, the project aims to advance how meaningful recovery is understood, assessed and supported within prosthetic rehabilitation.

The successful candidate will undertake a mixed-methods research programme, working directly with people with limb difference and healthcare professionals. Research activities will include patient-centred co-design, longitudinal assessments of recovery, instrumented gait analysis, wearable technology and clinical functional testing. Findings will inform an integrated approach to measuring quality of life and recovery, culminating in a proof-of-concept study within a specialist NHS prosthetic rehabilitation centre.

Based at the University of Portsmouth, the student will join an interdisciplinary team with expertise in biomechanics, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, collaborating with NHS services and leading prosthetics researchers. The project offers the opportunity to develop a diverse range of research skills whilst contributing to research with the potential to shape future prosthetic rehabilitation practice.

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

Applications are encouraged from those with an interest in prosthetics and clinical biomechanics.

How to apply

If you have any project-specific questions please contact Dr Amy Wright ([email protected]) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, please use our online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV. Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code PSH50990127 when applying. Please note that email applications are not accepted.