Fully Funded PhD Opportunity in Health Services Research

University of Wisconsin

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Vacancy

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Description

The University of Wisconsin - Madison School of Pharmacy is now inviting applications for its Health Services Research Graduate Program (PhD). This program is fully interdisciplinary, combining insights from pharmacy, public health, and social sciences. It is designed for students eager to improve healthcare systems and patient outcomes. Key areas include behavioral science, human-centered design, and digital health innovation. Students gain expertise in mixed methods and qualitative research approaches. The program emphasizes applied learning to solve real-world healthcare challenges. Graduates will be well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, government, and non-profit sectors. The PhD offers competitive funding packages, including tuition coverage and stipends. Applicants are encouraged to align their research interests with program faculty expertise. This is a unique opportunity to join a world-class research community at UW-Madison. 

Responsibilities

Program Highlights

• Research Focus: Explore behavioral science, health communication, implementation science, population health, and systems engineering to address real-world healthcare challenges.
• Training in Mixed Methods & Qualitative Research: Build advanced expertise in evaluating and supporting healthcare innovations through human-centered and evidence-based approaches.
• Interdisciplinary & Applied Approach: Work across pharmacy, public health, engineering, and social sciences to design meaningful healthcare solutions.
• Strong Career Pathways: Graduates pursue rewarding careers in academia, industry, government, and non-profit organizations. 

Qualification

Eligibility & Ideal Candidates

This PhD program is best suited for applicants who are passionate about:

• Behavioral science and patient-centered care: Applicants who want to understand how human behavior, decision-making, and communication affect medication use, patient safety, and treatment outcomes. This focus is ideal for those who wish to design interventions that empower patients and enhance healthcare delivery.
• Digital health and healthcare innovation: Students interested in exploring how technology, such as mobile health apps, telemedicine, wearable devices, or AI-driven tools, can transform healthcare systems. Candidates with a passion for designing, testing, and evaluating innovative digital solutions will thrive in this area.
• Mixed methods or qualitative research in health services: The program values students who want to combine quantitative data (surveys, big data, health records) with qualitative insights (interviews, focus groups, ethnographic research). This approach equips graduates to capture both the statistical trends and the human stories behind healthcare outcomes.
• Improving healthcare outcomes through research-driven solutions: Ideal candidates are motivated to apply their research to solve pressing health challenges, from reducing medication errors to improving healthcare access and equity. The focus is on using evidence-based findings to drive meaningful, practical improvements in real-world healthcare systems. 

Funding & Support

1. Competitive funding packages are offered, including tuition coverage, stipends, and additional professional development opportunities.
2. Students benefit from mentorship, research collaborations, and access to UW–Madison’s extensive academic and healthcare network. 

Application Timeline

• Deadline: December 7, 2025
• Program Start: Fall 2026 

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to:

1. Review the program details at the official UW–Madison Health Services Research Program page: Before applying, students should carefully read the program overview, course structure, faculty research areas, and funding information available on the official website. This ensures that applicants understand the program’s interdisciplinary nature and can tailor their application accordingly.
2. Prepare a CV and a statement of research interests: Candidates should highlight their academic background, relevant research or professional experiences, and any publications or projects in their CV. The statement of research interests should clearly outline the applicant’s passion areas (such as behavioral science, digital health, or qualitative research), how these align with the program, and long-term career goals.
3. Contact Dr. Paula Voorheis (Assistant Professor, UW–Madison) directly at paula.voorheis@wisc.edu
    to discuss alignment and opportunities: Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to Dr. Voorheis with a short introduction, a summary of their research interests, and their CV attached. This communication helps confirm whether the candidate’s goals align with the program’s research strengths and provides valuable guidance for preparing a stronger application. 

If you’re aiming to combine design thinking, behavioral science, and healthcare innovation into a meaningful PhD journey, this program at UW-Madison could be the right fit for you. Apply now to secure your place in this world-class research community.