Are you looking for a fully funded PhD opportunity in the USA for 2027? A faculty member at the University of Florida (UF) is recruiting a PhD student in Health Services Research for Fall 2027, with the program expected to begin in August 2027.
The opportunity is based in the Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy within the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions. The research opportunity is particularly suitable for students interested in using data-driven and quantitative approaches to understand healthcare access, quality, costs, outcomes, and equity.
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The anticipated position offers four years of funding through a 20-hour-per-week Research Assistant (RA) or Teaching Assistant (TA) appointment.
PhD Opportunity Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | University of Florida |
| Location | Gainesville, Florida, USA |
| College | College of Public Health and Health Professions |
| Department | Health Services Research, Management and Policy |
| Degree | PhD |
| Concentration | Public Health – Health Services Research |
| Intake | Fall 2027 |
| Expected Start | August 2027 |
| Funding | Four years of anticipated funding |
| Assistantship | 20 hours/week RA or TA |
| Funding Deadline | January 15, 2027 |
| Regular Application Deadline | January 31, 2027 |
| GRE | Optional; highly recommended by the program |
Research Areas
The prospective PhD student will have the opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary research involving healthcare data and health services research.
The faculty member is particularly interested in research examining healthcare access, quality, costs, outcomes, and equity.
Potential research areas include:
- 🧠 Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD)
- 🎗️ Cancer care and survivorship
- 👴 Aging and healthcare for older adults
- 🤝 Palliative and end-of-life care
- 📊 Healthcare utilization and outcomes
- 💰 Healthcare costs and access
- ⚖️ Health equity and disparities
- 🔬 Data-driven health services research
Students may work with large healthcare datasets, participate in interdisciplinary projects, contribute to research publications and conference presentations, and develop an independent research agenda during their doctoral studies.
Fully Funded PhD Benefits
The advertised PhD opportunity anticipates four years of funding through a 20-hour-per-week Research Assistant or Teaching Assistant appointment.
According to the program’s admission information, students selected for graduate assistantship funding receive a tuition waiver covering 9 credits during Fall and Spring and 6 credits during Summer. In addition to tuition support, funded students receive an additional bi-weekly stipend.
Because funding arrangements can be subject to university and program decisions, applicants should carefully review the latest information provided by the University of Florida before applying.
Application Deadline for Fall 2027
The Fall 2027 application period opens August 30, 2026.
Students who want to be considered for graduate assistantship funding must submit all application materials by January 15, 2027.
The general application deadline for applicants who are not seeking graduate assistantship funding, or who are interested in part-time enrollment, is January 31, 2027.
Important Dates
- Application opens: August 30, 2026
- Funding consideration deadline: January 15, 2027
- General application deadline: January 31, 2027
- Expected program start: August 2027
Important: Students seeking funding should not wait until the general January 31 deadline. All materials must be submitted by January 15, 2027 for graduate assistantship consideration.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the Public Health, Health Services Research PhD concentration must meet the minimum requirements established by the University of Florida Graduate School and the program.
The listed requirements include:
1. Academic Qualification
Applicants should have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 undergraduate credit hours, based on the semester system.
Applicants must also hold a recognized bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution.
2. English Language Proficiency
International applicants may need to demonstrate English proficiency through an approved examination.
The listed minimum scores include:
- TOEFL: 4.5 on the listed current scale (previously 80)
- IELTS: 6.5
Applicants should check the University of Florida’s current international admissions requirements to determine whether they qualify for an exemption.
3. GRE
The GRE is optional, although the program states that it is highly recommended to demonstrate program readiness.
4. Required Application Materials
Applicants should prepare:
- Completed UF graduate application
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Credential evaluation for international academic records
- Resume or CV
- Three letters of recommendation
- TOEFL or IELTS scores, when required
- Two required essays
Required PhD Essays
Applicants must address two important questions as part of the application.
Essay 1: Motivation and Program Fit
Applicants must explain why they want to pursue a PhD, including why the University of Florida’s Health Services Research PhD program is a suitable match for their academic and research goals.
Essay 2: Research Experience and Interests
Applicants should describe their previous research experience and identify the specific areas of research they would like to pursue during the PhD.
Applicants must also identify two faculty members whose research interests align with their own and explain why those faculty members would be a good research fit.
This makes it important for prospective students to review the faculty research areas before submitting their application.
International Student Requirements
International applicants should pay particular attention to credential evaluation and English-language requirements.
According to the provided program information, WES ICAP evaluations are required for international transcripts.
Applicants should also arrange for official TOEFL or IELTS scores to be sent electronically where required.
The listed UF TOEFL school code is 5812. For IELTS, applicants should use the IELTS Results Service E-Delivery system accepted by the University of Florida.
Applicants should always verify current requirements directly with UF because international admission procedures can change.
How to Apply
Applicants should complete the University of Florida Graduate Admissions application online.
When completing the application, select:
- College of Public Health and Health Professions
- Public Health – Doctor of Philosophy
- Fall 2027
- Under concentration, select Health Services Research
Applicants can leave the program specialization and department contact name blank if instructed by the program.
For the Statement of Purpose section, applicants should upload their responses to the two required essay questions. The program states that only one file may be uploaded, so applicants should combine the required responses into a single document if necessary.
Application Fee
The application requires a non-refundable US$30 application fee, according to the provided program information.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity may be relevant to students with academic or research interests in:
- Health services research
- Public health
- Healthcare policy
- Healthcare quality and outcomes
- Healthcare economics and costs
- Aging and gerontology
- Cancer research
- Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
- Palliative and end-of-life care
- Health equity
- Healthcare data analytics
- Quantitative research
Students with strong research experience and an interest in analyzing healthcare datasets may find the research environment particularly relevant to their academic goals.
Research Experience and Career Development
The PhD student is expected to have opportunities to work on interdisciplinary research projects and analyze large healthcare datasets.
The position may also provide opportunities to:
- Develop quantitative research skills
- Contribute to academic publications
- Present research at conferences
- Work with interdisciplinary research teams
- Develop an independent research agenda
- Gain teaching or research assistantship experience
These experiences can help doctoral students develop an academic and research profile in health services research and public health.
How to Contact the Faculty Member
Prospective students interested in this opportunity are encouraged to contact the recruiting faculty member by email to introduce themselves, discuss research interests and fit, or request a meeting.
Email: xiezhigang@ufl.edu
Prospective applicants should contact the faculty member by email rather than through social media direct messages.
Official Research/F faculty profile
Learn more about the faculty member’s research and profile
Official Program and Admission Information
University of Florida PhD Program & Admission Information
UF Graduate Application
Apply through the University of Florida Graduate Application
International Admissions
UF International Graduate Admissions
Final Thoughts
The University of Florida Health Services Research PhD opportunity for Fall 2027 offers prospective doctoral students an opportunity to pursue advanced research in healthcare access, quality, costs, outcomes, and equity. The advertised position anticipates four years of funding through a 20-hour-per-week RA or TA appointment, while the program provides tuition support and a stipend for students selected for graduate assistantship funding.
Students seeking funding should pay particular attention to the January 15, 2027 deadline, as this is earlier than the general January 31 application deadline.
Before applying, prospective students should carefully review the official University of Florida requirements, identify faculty members whose research aligns with their interests, prepare the required essays and supporting documents, and contact the recruiting faculty member by email to discuss research fit.
📌 Funding Deadline: January 15, 2027
📌 General Deadline: January 31, 2027
📌 Start Date: August 2027
📌 Funding: Four years anticipated + RA/TA appointment
📌 Location: Gainesville, Florida, USA
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