CPS has previously funded fellowships and keeps close ties with universities to carry out research projects that are of interest to the sector, the negotiator’s policy and development pharmacist Adam Osprey told C+D last month (June 22).

However, this is the first time CPS is providing funding for a pharmacist to complete a PhD qualification – to be focused on the community pharmacy sector, Mr Osprey added.

The successful candidate is expected to start the PhD on October 1 and carry out their research over three academic years.

Helping CPS analyse community pharmacy data

CPS decided to fully fund the role to help it build “robust evidence” showing the benefit of pharmacy services, using community pharmacy’s “vast amount of data”, Mr Osprey added.

The negotiator “will likely set the direction” of the student’s research, to “serve CPS’s purposes”, but also help them pick something that interests them too, Mr Osprey said.

The researcher will have access to CPS’s data, and they will be facilitated in accessing other contractors’ data too, he added.

Time spent at variety of organisations

The post will be based primarily at Robert Gordon University, although the researcher will also spend some time in community pharmacy, at CPS’s offices and any relevant organisation in Scotland, according to the job description.

“The CPS PhD scholar will contribute to taking forward the current and future Scottish government strategies regarding pharmaceutical care in the context of community pharmacy,” CPS wrote.

The researcher will be provided with a tax-free salary of around £16,000 per year, although the final figure is yet to be confirmed.

However, “applicants should note that there is scope to earn a further £12,570 per annum up to the ‘personal tax allowance’ limit”, CPS wrote.

“The post is an excellent opportunity, particularly for an early careers General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registered pharmacist in, or who has knowledge of, community practice to develop research skills and professional leadership through the development of evidence-based practice, whilst maintaining links to current service delivery,” according to the role description.

Interested individuals have until August 1 to apply for the role.