Graduate Teaching Assistant (Promoting Cardiac Rehabilitation Adherence)

Fixed term for 3 years

University of the Year 2014/2015 – Times Higher Education Awards

Research proposals are invited in the areas below:

Promoting Cardiac Rehabilitation Adherence

In 2014, Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) were the largest and second largest killers, respectively, in the UK (British Heart Foundation, 2014). Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) has been widely recognised as an effective treatment for individuals with CVD / CHD conditions (McKelvie, 2008), as it can improve physical health and decrease both morbidity and mortality. Paradoxically, however, 24-50% of patients fail to adhere to CR (Turk-Adawi et al., 2014) at great personal cost and expense to the NHS. The current programme of PhD research, therefore, aims to explore effective behaviour change among CR patients for maintaining adherence to CR programmes. It will provide the necessary pilot work and evidence-base for the development and evaluation (within a randomized controlled trial) for a psychosocial / theory-based intervention centred on promoting behaviours (e.g., exercise) essential for achieving favorable CR outcomes. This project is a cross-departmental collaboration between the Department of Psychology (Dr Andrew Levy) and Sport & Physical Activity (Prof Adrian Midgley) in conjunction with an existing external collaboration, Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital (Dr Bashir Matata), who also holds an honorary position associated to the PGMI.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Andy Levy (Department of Psychology) at andy.levy@edgehill.ac.uk

How to apply

Applicants must complete the online application form, attaching one document containing:

• A ‘Research Proposal’ which should not exceed 2,000 words


• A full academic curriculum vitae

Applicants should normally have/be about to obtain, a Masters qualification in a relevant subject.

Selection Criteria:

Selection will be based on the following:

• Your curriculum vitae


• The synergy between your qualifications, research experience and declared research interest


• The quality of the research proposal


• Performance at interview


• Supervisory capacity in the declared area of research


• Previous tutoring/teaching experience and related subject based qualifications


• The strategic and developmental needs of the faculty

The Recruitment Process

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview and asked to give a presentation related to their proposal. Successful candidates at interview will be put forward to a final selection panel which will make the decision on the award of the studentships. Candidates will not have to attend the final panel.

The closing date for all studentships is Sunday 10 April 2016

Interviews will be held between Tuesday 3 May and Wednesday 11 May 2016