PhD Researcher in Sociology: Lived Experience of Inherited Cardiac Risk

This PhD position at Trinity College Dublin focuses on the sociocultural dimensions of inherited cardiac risk, examining how families understand, navigate, and adapt to genetic predispositions. The successful candidate will conduct qualitative and mixed-methods research within an interdisciplinary team spanning sociology, psychology, clinical cardiology, and biomedical engineering. The project leverages a pre-characterised cohort of affected families to investigate cultural narratives, family dynamics, and socio-demographic influences on risk perception and management. PhD students benefit from robust training in research methods, interdisciplinary collaboration, and opportunities for teaching support. The position is fully funded with a tax-free stipend and tuition coverage for four years, starting March 2027.

• Conduct qualitative and mixed-methods research to explore how families understand, narrate, and manage inherited cardiac risk.
• Analyse socio-demographic factors (e.g., socio-economic status, ethnicity, migratory background) influencing risk perception and behaviour.
• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary supervisors and healthcare professionals to integrate sociological insights with clinical data.
• Develop and publish four high-quality papers as part of the PhD thesis, aligned with publishable standards.
• Participate in departmental research training programmes, workshops, and international conferences.
• Optionally assist with undergraduate teaching (up to 4 hours/week during term time), with separate remuneration.
• Engage with pre-characterised family cohorts to gather data on lived experiences of inherited cardiac conditions.
• Conduct semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals to understand risk management perspectives.