Funded PhD: Experiences and treatment and financial burden of people living with Sjögren’s and related autoimmune diseases

By documenting lived experiences, capturing the real costs of illness, and linking Sjögren’s to broader autoimmune research, this PhD will provide evidence to improve patient care in Ireland and beyond.

Sjögren’s is an autoimmune disease that affects around one-in-200 people. It is as common and debilitating as other conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, yet it is often misunderstood, under-recognised, and underestimated by both the public and healthcare professionals. Traditionally, it was thought to only affect tear and saliva glands, causing dry eyes and dry mouth.

However, we now know that Sjögren’s can impact almost every part of the body. People may experience significant fatigue, pain in joints and muscles, skin rashes, breathing difficulties, and in some cases, life-threatening complications such as lung disease or lymphoma. Living with Sjögren’s has a major impact on quality of life, affecting people’s ability to work, participate in family and social life, and manage financially. Despite this, treatment options remain limited, and many patients face long delays before receiving a diagnosis.

The SYNERG-IE programme is a large research initiative funded by the Health Research Board (HRB) in Ireland. With a budget of €2.5 million, it aims to raise awareness of Sjögren’s, improve care and treatment, and shape the direction of future research. This PhD project forms part of SYNERG-IE and focuses on understanding the real-life experiences of people living with Sjögren’s. It also explores how what we learn could help people with other autoimmune conditions, such as lupus and SLE, which often share similar challenges.

The project has four main objectives:

  • Exploring patient experiences: Through in-depth interviews, the project will capture the voices of people with Sjögren’s in Ireland. This qualitative study will highlight how individuals understand and manage their illness, and how they experience the healthcare system. It will consider the diversity of perspectives by including people of different backgrounds and at different stages of the disease.
  • Measuring treatment and financial burden: A national survey will investigate the costs, time, and energy people spend managing their illness. Studies internationally suggest the financial burden can be very high, but no such data exist for Ireland. The survey will examine healthcare use, medication, and hidden costs, and link these to patients’ overall treatment burden.
  • Comparing with other autoimmune diseases: An umbrella review of existing research will summarise what is already known about patient experiences in conditions like lupus, scleroderma, and fibromyalgia. This will help to identify shared challenges and unique aspects of each disease.
  • Applying findings more widely: Using a participatory workshop approach called a 'World Café', the project will bring together patients, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers. The group will discuss how the lessons from the SYNERG-IE research could be used to improve care across a wider range of autoimmune conditions.

Ultimately, the project aims to create a clearer roadmap for healthcare services and research, ensuring that people living with Sjögren’s and similar conditions receive better recognition, support, and treatment.

This research project is funded by the Health Research Board.

Tenure: Three years

Start date: 22 September 2025

Specification

Minimum requirements

A masters degree, ideally upper second class (2.1) honours or above.

Desirable candidate specifications

  • Formal training in research methodologies
  • Experience with academic writing
  • Previous professional experience in a relevant field
  • Good understanding of the Irish healthcare system

Application process

Please apply for the research project through the link below.

Applications must include:

Apply now

Application deadline: 2 September 2025

Interviews: 5 September 2025

Please note:

  • It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure the application form is completed in full and on time – late and/or incomplete applications will not normally be assessed.
  • Unfortunately, we are unable to provide individual feedback to applicants.
  • Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview (applicants may attend a virtual interview, although in-person is preferred).
  • At this stage only successful candidates will be contacted to submit, CV, transcripts and other relevant documentation.
  • Only their referees will also be contacted at this stage for a reference.