University of Limerick PhD Scholarship in Parkinsons' Disease Research 2026

Position Title: PhD studentship in dance for people living with Parkinsons’s disease

Faculty: School of Allied Health, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences

Applications are invited by the University of Limerick for a PhD 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 people with of Parkinson’s disease (PD) across Ireland. Focussing on stigma, gender and culture, mental health, physical activity, dance 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 (i.e. University of Limerick, University College Cork, Queens University Belfast, Trinity College Dublin, University of Ulster) and Tyndall Institute. Students will receive supervision from an interdisciplinary team across 2 or more universities.

Students will 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 complete any additional training required for the project or host institutions, including research integrity, GDPR, and Good Clinical Practice.

This PhD studentship will focus on dance for people living with Parkinson’s disease exploring different dance genres and their acceptability, establishing training needs and co-developing a training toolkit. 

Key Responsibilities of the successful PhD candidates will include:

• Performing research with responsibility and integrity.
• Providing weekly updates to your supervisor/supervisory team.
• Present research findings at key conferences and publish in high-impact journals.
• Complete required PhD coursework, participate in group meetings and contribute to outreach activities as appropriate.
• Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required.
• Ensure compliance with Quality Management Systems, Health and Safety standards, and other regulations.

The PhD is full-time and 3 years in duration. Progression through the PhD programme will be subject to satisfactory output of scientific results and publications. 

Academic supervisors at UL will be Prof Amanda Clifford a Professor in Physiotherapy at the School of Allied Health, who has extensive research expertise in the design and evaluation of evidence-based programmes, and a special interest in the role of music and dance-based interventions for health and wellbeing and Dr Orfhlaith Ni Bhriain, an ethnochoreologist at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, with expertise in Irish dance skills, Irish music and dance studies, Western Art Dance History, Music and Dance education and ethnochoreology. UL provides an exceptional institutional environment for this research. UL is a national leader in Patient and Public Involvement in research ensuring strong methodological support in participatory methods. Its collaborative ecosystem will ensure the candidate has access to interdisciplinary expertise and facilities. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to attend research meetings and seminars at the Health Research Institute and relevant centres for example the Ageing Research Centre, Physical Activity for Health, and Centre for Implementation Research at the University of Limerick providing an opportunity to collaborate with and learn from peers at different stages of their research career.

PD LIFE is a Strand II project?funded under the North South Research Programme (NSRP).?The NSRP is a collaborative scheme funded through the Government’s Shared Island Fund. It is being administered by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.”

• Table of Content
• About University of Limerick
• University of Limerick PhD Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of University of Limerick PhD Scholarship
• University of Limerick PhD Scholarship Courses
• Requirements for University of Limerick PhD Scholarship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for University of Limerick PhD Scholarship
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

University of Limerick PhD Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of University of Limerick PhD Scholarship

• EU fees plus Stipend 3 years Full-Time.
• The PhD Studentship will include EU fees and a stipend (25,000 per annum) for 3 years. For non-EU applicants, a non-EU fee waiver may be available, however this cannot be guaranteed.

University of Limerick PhD Scholarship Courses

• Physiotherapy

Requirements for University of Limerick PhD Scholarship Qualification

• A minimum qualification of a 2.1 honours BSc or MSc in physiotherapy and either registered or eligible for registration with CORU 
• Experience in the management and delivery of programmes to individuals or groups of people with Parkinson’s disease 
• Basic research skills in qualitative and/or quantitative methods 
• Motivated, analytical, demonstrate initiative with a desire to learn and achievement-orientated
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English suitable for presentations, and publication. A minimum level of competency in English is required for PhD registration at UL. Please see the following link regarding English Language requirements on the Doctoral College webpages How to Apply | University of Limerick
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills and able to self-manage and able to work as part of a multidisciplinary research team.

Desirable:

• Experience engaging with key stakeholders in Parkinson’s disease care/ research 
• Experience of publishing and or disseminating research findings 
• Proficient use of a data management software for example Covidence or NVIVO
• An interest or experience in dance

Note that admission to the faculty of Education and Health Sciences to undertake a PhD degree is a separate process.

Interview date, Process and Venue for University of Limerick PhD Scholarship

• Selection will be competitive and will take place in April/May 2026; shortlisted candidates should be available for an online interview. Anticipated start date September 2026 

Check also:
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027
Global Korea Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Applications can be made by submitting

• a current two-page academic CV (that includes your relevant experience, academic results, publications and contact information for two referees) and
• an expression of interest document to [email protected] with the subject ‘PD-Life PhD Studentship Application’. The expression of interest document should be submitted in Word (.doc or .docx) format and should be no more than two pages. The applicant should describe their own suitability and motivation for this post with reference to your past relevant experience and achievements. 

Contact: Please contact Prof Amanda Clifford  [email protected] if you have any queries.

For more information, kindly visit University of Limerick scholarship webpage.