Bournemouth University PhD Studentship in Optimising emergency response methods 2025-2026

Bournemouth University is calling for applications for a fully funded PhD Studentship which will determine the most clinically acceptable methods for emergency response teams to manage casualties with cervical spine injuries. This PhD studentship will be testing vacuum mattress and stretcher carrying methods using unique multidisciplinary collaboration of biomechanists, physiologists and mountain rescue stakeholders.

The proposed project will simulate various rescue scenarios as typically encountered by UK mountain rescue teams and apply innovative biomechanical analysis using Bournemouth University ’s in-vivo 3D motion tracking technology to determine residual motion of the cervical spine. The findings will guide mountain rescue teams in equipment choice and best practice to enhance casualty outcomes and reduce the risk of post-rescue long-term disability.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineJuly 30, 2025
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorBournemouth University
• City to studyBournemouth
• School to studyBournemouth University
• Course to studyHealth Sciences , Medical Science , Medical/Nursing , Medicine , Medicine and Health Sciences
• Eligible CountryUnited Kingdom

Benefits

This is a fully funded PhD studentship which includes fees and stipend

Requirements

• A Bachelor of Science degree in 2:1 or above and/or master's degree in sports science, sports technology, medicine, physiology, engineering or similar subject area.
• Available to UK students or students with UK residency only
• The applicant will be expected to attend Bournemouth University in person on at least three days of the week, for all working weeks. 

Aims:

1. To review currently available and commonly utilised methods by mountain rescue organisations to achieve cervical spine motion control
2. To determine clinically acceptable residual motion of the cervical spine when casualties are secured in a vacuum mattress on a stretcher
3. To evaluate the utilisation of vacuum mattresses in a number of different scenarios and casualty types. 

Research objectives

First objective

To complete literature review(s) investigating in-vivo methodological methods and clinical recommendations for patient care, stakeholder focus groups, and to identify technical standards (e.g. ISO, BSEN, EN), the 4 available products (Pax Ergo Mat, Ferno Rescue Lite, Red Vac, Ferno Easy Fix), and product use between mountain rescue teams. 

Second objective

Using technical standards outcomes from objective 1, to develop new technical standards of equipment testing specifically aligned to the requirements of spinal stability.

Third objective

Using outcomes from objective 1, the information will inform the development of simulated mountain rescue whilst a casualty is secured in a vacuum mattress on a mountain rescue stretcher and fitted with in-vivo 3D motion tracking technology to assess residual motion of the cervical spine. 

Fourth objective

To simulate different scenarios of mountain rescue (such as, during a manual stretcher carry or when being winched into a helicopter; vertical stretcher lifts (suspension syndrome), implications for metabolic cost of the rescuer, in both males and females) and evaluate performance of different equipment options, and different casualty packaging options to determine best practice when managing a casualty with a cervical spine injury.

Outcomes

The outcomes of the project will be best practice guidelines and technical reports delivered to Mountain Rescue England and Wales and to equipment manufacturers, which will influence training of rescue organisation personnel and future product design. Guidelines and reports will be underpinned by academic publications of three-star standard to journals such as Wilderness & Environmental Medicine and Prehospital Emergency Care.

The postgraduate researcher will develop their biomechanical and research study design skills, and will develop soft skills to facilitate a future career in industry and supporting other organisations such as emergency response teams. Taken together, the outputs will form the basis of a case study for possible inclusion in future Research Excellence Framework assessments.

Selection Process

Application deadline: Wednesday 30 July 2025, with interviews commencing 1, 4 and 5 August.

Application Deadline

July 30, 2025

How To Apply

Are you qualified and interested in this opportunity? Kindly go to Bournemouth University on evision.bournemouth.ac.uk to apply

For more details, visit Bournemouth University Scholarship webpage