PhD: Multimodal risk stratification in painful temporomandibular disorders

• Principal investigator(s) Dr Shahnawaz Khijmatgar, Professor Gianluca Martino Tartaglia, Prof. Dr Dr Peer Kämmerer
• Research theme Immunity Infection and Inflammation, Population Health and Health Services, Surgical Science and Practice

Painful temporomandibular disorders are heterogeneous conditions influenced by clinical, psychosocial, behavioural, functional and comorbidity-related factors. Current guideline-based care supports structured assessment, patient education, reassurance, supported self-management, identification of red flags and escalation when clinically indicated.

However, current care pathways do not yet provide a validated method for identifying, at first presentation, which patients are likely to recover with supported self-management and conservative care, and which patients are at risk of early non-response, persistent high-burden pain or clinically relevant escalation.

The Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders provides a standardised clinical and research framework for axis I diagnosis and axis II assessment of pain-related disability, psychosocial burden and functional impact. Large prospective research such as OPPERA supports the relevance of biopsychosocial, comorbidity-related and pain-related factors in TMD risk and persistence.

The long-term purpose is not autonomous decision-making, but the development of a scientific basis for future risk-informed TMD care.

Tenure: Four years

Start date: 1 November 2026

Specification

Minimum requirements

• Demonstrated interest in clinical dental research, translational research, oral health, dental education, or related fields.
• Applicants must demonstrate the ability to undertake postgraduate research while maintaining clinical responsibilities and comply with all ethical, regulatory and institutional requirements.
• Must hold a recognised primary dental qualification (BDS, DDS, DMD, or equivalent).
• Must be a registered dentist and currently engaged in clinical practice within a dental practice, hospital, academic clinical setting, or equivalent healthcare environment.
• Upper second Class honours (2.1) degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline (PhD); lower second class honours (2.2) degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline (MSc); MB, BCh, BAO or equivalent medical degree and eligibility for registration with the Irish Medical Council (MD); MB, BCh, BAO or equivalent medical degree and eligibility for registration with the Irish Medical Council (MCh).

Note: Applications from non-dentists will not be considered.

Desirable candidate specifications

• Demonstrated involvement in clinical, translational, laboratory, public health, or dental research.
• Experience in study design, data collection, data analysis, systematic reviews, clinical audits, quality improvement projects, or clinical trials.
• Evidence of contribution to peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or scientific reports.
• Experience in specialist practice, hospital dentistry, community dentistry, academic dentistry, or multidisciplinary healthcare settings.
• Experience managing patients with complex oral and systemic health needs.
• Evidence of academic excellence, prizes, distinctions, scholarships, fellowships, or other professional recognition.
• Membership or fellowship of relevant professional bodies and learned societies.

Application process

Please apply for the research project through the link below.

Applicants must complete the application form and review our English language requirements.