BIRD is the local charity working with patients to fund arthritis research and education in Bath and is pleased to announce it is funding another summer student scholarships. The studentships are run in conjunction with the University of Bath and colleagues at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD).

The University of Bath has a long-standing and internationally recognized reputation for high quality research with an overall aim of improved healthcare outcomes and the RNHRD has a strong record of delivering high quality research into rheumatic disease, with several investigators recognised as international leaders in their field.  By generating another interdisciplinary arthritis research programme through integrating knowledge from different areas, including public policy, this will promote and advance medical knowledge and treatments in arthritis.

This will provide educational and research opportunities for undergraduate student in the area of arthritis research, one of the key aims of BIRD. The studentship will provide hands-on experience of data-based research for undergraduate students between the 2^nd and 3^rd year of their degree course, prior to applications for postgraduate programmes and graduate employment.

Ultimately, working with colleagues from the University and the local hospital, the RNHRD, we wish to build an internationally recognised, interdisciplinary programme of research that leads to a new Centre of Excellence in Arthritis Research located at Bath.

The studentships

This studentship is for a maximum of £3,000 and will be hosted by the Department of Computer Science at the University of Bath.

The student will be paid £280 per week living expenses plus a budget of £600 consumables for each project held by the University of Bath.

Studentship will be six to eight weeks long over the summer vacation. Each student would be required to write a lay and scientific summary of the project findings to submit to BIRD for publication on the BIRD website and inclusion in the charity’s annual report. There will be an afternoon symposium of research talks delivered by the students at the end of the summer (August-September).  Members of the University of Bath, the RNHRD/RUH, and BIRD will be invited to the symposium. Good attendance is anticipated as this will include the supervisors and other group members.

There is one summer studentships available this year ‘Automating the BASMI Measurement Using Pose Tracking on a Smartphone’, pleasc click here for more information on this study.

To apply

Please discuss your preferred project with the project supervisor(s) before you apply.  This may help you prepare your application and you need the project supervisor to submit your application.

BIRD are financially supporting this summer studentship in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Bath, to engage young scientists considering a future in arthritis research. These studentships will provide hands-on experience of data-based research for undergraduate students between the 2^nd and 3^rd year of their degree course, prior to applications for PhDs and graduate employment

Your application should include:

• A 200 word statement of your career intention and how this studentship is important for your career development.
• A CV, maximum two sides of A4.
• An academic reference with predicted degree class.

Please submit your application by email to BIRD@birdbath.org.uk.

The closing date for applications is 31^st March 2022.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an informal interview with the Project Supervisor(s) and representatives from the BIRD Research Committee. These meetings will be held at the end of April, dates TBC.