Available

Project number:

2025_108

Start date:

October 2025

Project themes:

EHRs, NLP, and LLMs, AI, Machine Learning, and Multimodal Data

Main supervisor:

Researcher in Epidemiology and Public Health

Co-supervisor:

Professor Laia Becares,

Dr Martin Chapman

Additional Information:

Strategies for investigating and addressing health inequalities in sexual and gender minority groups

Background:  Sexual and gender minority individuals ([SGM] those who identify as LGBTQ+ or non-heterosexual) have higher risk for a wide range of mental health problems (for e.g., depression/anxiety, self-harm, suicidality) compared to heterosexual peers. Emerging evidence indicates that they have a higher risk of physical health problems (for e.g., chronic pain, asthma, CVD, diabetes). 

Multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) or multimorbidity (MM) is an established public health concern. In 2019, 21% of the adult English population had simple MM (≥2 MLTCs), and the combined proportion living with simple and complex MM (≥3 MLTCs across ≥3 organ systems) will increase from 53.8% to 71.9% (35.4 million individuals) by 2049. MM is associated with frequent hospital visits, longer hospital stays, complex treatment, and premature death, placing a high burden on a strained healthcare system. Inequalities in MM are stark, being more common in the socioeconomically disadvantaged, ethnic minorities and women. However, little is known about multimorbidity in SGM groups. 

Novelty and importance:  SGM individuals face significant discrimination and stigma in multiple life avenues increasing their risk for a wide range of mental and physical health conditions. Yet, we are unable to comprehensively study health in these groups due to lack of appropriate data and methodology. This multisectoral and interdisciplinary project includes a large team of individuals with diverse expertise and skills from academia, healthcare services, NGOs/charities and other national organisations.

Aims: To use an interdisciplinary and multisectoral approach to design new methodologies and solutions to enable the study of multimorbidity and health in SGM groups. 


References:

Ploderl M, Tremblay P: Mental health of sexual minorities. A systematic review. Int Rev Psychiatry 2015


Khanolkar AR: Sexual minority health inequalities — why are we unable to do more? BMC Global Public Health 2024


Saunders CL, MacCarthy S, Meads C, Massou E, Mant J, Saunders AM, Elliott MN: Long-term conditions among sexual minority adults in England: evidence from a cross-sectional analysis of responses to the English GP Patient Survey. BJGP Open 2021


Skou ST, Mair FS, Fortin M, Guthrie B, Nunes BP, Miranda JJ, Boyd CM, Pati S, Mtenga S, Smith SM: Multimorbidity. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2022


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We are now accepting applications for 1 October 2025

How to apply

Candidates should possess or be expected to achieve a 1st or upper 2nd class degree in a relevant subject including the biosciences, computer science, mathematics, statistics, data science, chemistry, physics, and be enthusiastic about combining their expertise with other disciplines in the field of healthcare.


Important information for International Students:

It is the responsibility of the student to apply for their Student Visa. Please note that the EPSRC DRIVE-Health studentship does not cover the visa application fees or the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) required for access to the National Health Service. The IHS is mandatory for anyone entering the UK on a Student Visa and is currently £776 per year for each year of study. Further detail can be found under the International Students tab below.


Closing date: 6 February 2025 (23:59 hrs BST)

Create an account with King’s Apply.


Apply to the EPSRC DRIVE-Health: Centre for Doctoral Training in Data-Driven Health MPhil/PhD (Full-time).


Please ensure you read the full information required on our Apply page, particularly relating to Personal Statement and Supporting Information. 


Complete the following sections of the application with all the relevant information.


A PDF copy of your CV should be uploaded to the Employment History section.

A 500-word personal statement outlining your motivation for undertaking postgraduate research with the CDT should be uploaded to the Supporting Statement section.

Funding:

Please choose Option 5 "I am applying for a funding award or scholarship administered by King’s College London" in the funding section.

Under "Award Scheme Code or Name" enter "EPSRC DRIVE-Health 2025".

Failing to include one of these codes might result in you not being considered for funding.

Questions marked * are mandatory and you will not be able to submit without answering.


Non-EU international applicants are advised that ATAS may be required. While there is no charge to apply for ATAS, processing can take up to 3 months. Please read the Important Information for International Students.

Apply Now

Enhanced Studentships to Attract Top Talent

Each studentship is fully funded for 4 years.


This includes tuition fees, a stipend and a generous allowance for project consumables.


Tuition Fees: these will be covered for both Home and International students.


Stipend: students will receive a tax-free living allowance of £23,814 per year (current projection for Academic Year 2025/26).


Research Training Support Grant (RTSG): up to £20,000 over 4 years for research consumables and attending national and international conferences.

Important Information for International Students

It is the responsibility of the student to apply for their Student Visa.


Please note that the EPSRC DRIVE-Health studentship does not cover the visa application fees or the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) required for access to the National Health Service. The IHS is mandatory for anyone entering the UK on a Student Visa and is currently £776 per year for each year of study.

 

Additionally, depending on your chosen project, some nationals may need to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate prior to applying for a visa. The ATAS application process can take up to 3 months and so it is essential that you apply for this early. Please note the following:

 

• If you need to apply for a student visa, you cannot submit your visa application until your ATAS certificate has been issued.

• If you are applying for any other visa, you cannot enrol at King’s and start your programme unless your ATAS certificate has been issued.

• If you apply late, you may not be able to join on the expected entry point and your registration may be postponed

 

Please review the following article for further information on the ATAS certificate and how to apply: label="" type="url" target="_blank" href="https://self-service.kcl.ac.uk/article/KA-01847/en-us" data-runtime-url="https://self-service.kcl.ac.uk/article/KA-01847/en-us">Do I need ATAS clearance before I start my course at King's? 

 

For further advice, please contact the Visas & International Student Advice as soon as possible.


Academic Requirements and Eligibility

We welcome eligible Home and International applicants from any personal background who are pleased to join diverse and friendly research groups.

Open to Home and International applicants.

Applicable level of study: Postgraduate research.

English Language Requirements (Band D)

Based on the IELTS test scoring system, this programme requires that successful candidates achieve the following level of English before enrolling. Successful applicants’ offer letters will include information about when they must have achieved this standard.

Overall: 6.5

Listening: 6 

Speaking: 6 

Reading: 6 

Writing: 6


Visit our admissions webpages to view our English language entry requirements.

Next Steps


  1. Applications submitted by the closing date of Thursday 6 February 2025 will be considered by the CDT. We will contact shortlisted applicants with information about this part of the recruitment process.
  2. Candidates will be invited to attend an interview. Interviews are projected to take place in April 2025.
  3. Project selection will be through a panel interview chaired by either Professor Richard Dobson and Professor Vasa Curcin (CDT Directors) followed by informal discussion with prospective supervisors.
  4. If you have any questions related to the specific project you are applying for, please contact the main supervisor of the project directly.


For any other questions about the recruitment process, please email us at

 drive-health-cdt@kcl.ac.uk.