Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Centre for Psychological Research, Department of
Psychology, Health and Professional Development
Self and emotion in depression
3 Year Full Time PhD
StudentshipFHLS Form
Eligibility: Home UK/EU with settled status
applicants who must be permanently resident in UK
Closing date: Monday 10 May 2021
Interviews:
w/c 24 May 2021
Start Date: September 2021
Bursary: equivalent to UKRI national minimum
stipend plus fees (2021/22 bursary rate is £15,609)
University fees and bench fees at the current Home
rate will be met by the University for the
3 academic years of the Studentship.
Supervisors: Dr Sanjay Kumar & Dr Michael Pilling
A
range of research has indicated a bias for information associated with the self
in attention, perception and memory. Similar biases have also been observed
with emotional stimuli. Some studies from our lab indicate that individuals
show self-related bias in attention and memory and they can integrate self and
positive emotion information to show even larger self-biases. Our
studies also suggest that individuals with depression show systematically
reduced self-biases for both happy and sad emotional stimuli (McIvor, Sui,
Malhotra, Drury & Kumar, 2021).
The
proposed PhD will extend this line of research. The PhD candidate will investigate the role of
self and emotion in biased information processing in individuals with
depression using behavioural experiments, EEG/ERP and TMS. The project will be supervised by Dr
Sanjay Kumar and Dr Michael Pilling at Oxford Brookes University. The
successful candidate would be expected to present at scientific meetings and
publish.
There
is an additional requirement to undertake up to 6 hours undergraduate
teaching/week during semesters and to participate in a teaching skills course
without further remuneration.
For further information contact Dr
Sanjay Kumar (skumar@brookes.ac.uk)
Requirements: Applicants should be of
the highest quality and capable of submitting a PhD thesis within 3 years.
Applicants should have a first class or upper second class (minimum 2.1)
honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or an acceptable
equivalent qualification in
psychology or related cognate discipline (e.g.,
Neuroscience, Natural Sciences). A Master’s degree would be an advantage, as
would previous research and/or professional experience of working with
parents. EU
Applicants with Settled Status in the UK must have an IELTS Academic test
certificate with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued
within the last two years from an approved test centre. We will consider
alternative acceptable evidence of English Language ability.
https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/knowledge-of-english
Application procedure:
Applicants
should request an application form from hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk. Complete
applications should include a proposed project proposal (max 1000 words)
including background, aims and an outline of how those aims will be
addressed.
Completion
of a DBS check is required on enrolment the cost of this will be covered by the
University.
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Centre for Psychological Research, Department of Psychology, Health and Professional
Development
Self-image and autobiographical memory
3 Year Full Time PhD Studentship
Eligibility: Home
UK/EU with settled status applicants who must be permanently resident in UK
Closing
date: Monday 10th
May 2021
Interviews: w/c 24 May 2021
Start Date: September 2021
Bursary:
equivalent to UKRI national minimum stipend plus fees (2021/22 bursary rate is
£15,609)
University fees
and bench fees at the current Home rate will be met by the University for the 3
years of the Studentship.
Supervisors:
Dr Clare Rathbone and Dr Kate Wilmut
Project:
This research studentship will elucidate the relationship between self and
memory across the lifespan, in different clinical groups and, potentially, in
relation to adults with Specific Learning Difficulties or Neuro-Developmental
Disorders (such as DCD/Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, ADHD and/or ASD). The knowledge we
possess about ourselves is multi-faceted and closely related to our emotional
well-being (Rathbone et al., 2015). By using ‘self-images’ (such as being a
sister or a worrier) as autobiographical memory cues we can examine the link between
self and memory (e.g. the IAM Task; Rathbone et al., 2008), and the relationship
between particularly self-relevant autobiographical memories and mood/well-being.
This project could also investigate these concepts within populations known to
have higher rates of anxiety and depression such as those with Specific
Learning Difficulties or Neuro-Developmental Disorders.
There is further scope for examining the development of self and
memory in childhood, adolescence or older adulthood depending on the
applicants’ particular areas of interest. This research project will employ a
range of quantitative memory measures and tasks, and may involve the
development of novel methodological approaches.
As part of their
Studentship, any successful applicant will be required to undertake up to 6
hours undergraduate teaching a week during semesters without further
remuneration. Training will be given.
For further information contact Dr Clare Rathbone: crathbone@brookes.ac.uk
Requirements:
Applicants should be of the highest quality and capable of submitting a PhD
thesis within 3 years. Applicants should have a first class or upper second
class (minimum 2.1) honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the
UK or an acceptable equivalent qualification. A Master’s
degree would be an advantage. EU Applicants with Settled Status in
the UK must have an IELTS Academic test certificate with an overall minimum
score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued within the last two years from an
approved test centre. We will consider alternative acceptable evidence of
English Language ability.
https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/knowledge-of-english
Application procedure:
Applicants should request an application form from
hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk. Complete applications should include a proposed
project proposal (max 1000 words) including background, aims and an outline of
how those aims will be addressed, applicants can liaise with Clare Rathbone
when developing their proposal.
Completion of a DBS check is required on enrolment the cost of
this will be covered by the University.
Faculty
of Health and Life Sciences,
Department
of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work
3
Year, full-time PhD studentship
Project
Title: Standing up for Cerebral Palsy 2: a roll-out exercise and lifestyle program
in mainstream and special needs schools in the UK.
Eligibility:
Home UK/EU with settled status
applicants who must be a permanent resident in UK
Closing date: 31st May 2021
Start
date: September 2021
Bursary
p.a.: Bursary equivalent to UKRI national minimum stipend plus fees (2021/22
bursary rate is £15,609)
University
fees and bench fees at the Home rate will be met by the University for the 3
years of the Studentship.
Young
people with Cerebral Palsy (CP) are more likely to have poor health and
academic outcomes due to low physical activity levels and prolonged sitting,
compared to children without a disability. Good cognitive ability is important
for academic functioning and is affected by exercise and lifestyle including
diet. Data suggests that breaking sitting with regular breaks of physical
activity improves post-prandial glucose responses, which may be one of the
mechanisms driving cognitive improvements. While young people with CP gain both
physical and psychosocial benefits from physical activity, current barriers to
participation are significant. This has a negative economic and social impact
on the life chances of young people with CP and their families.
This
PhD will build on exciting findings from our team exploring the effect of
different types of exercise dose on cognitive and metabolic outcomes in young
people with CP. A program will be developed to support young people with CP and
their families and teachers to integrate physical activity into education
settings to improve attention and memory for better learning. This PhD will
enable the opportunity to work within a World leading team with global
connections to build this program of research.
The
PhD project involves three phases. 1: informal interviews will be undertaken
with young people with CP, families, teachers and health care professionals to
gain perspectives and perceptions. 2: obtain input and consensus from an expert
panel to co-design the physical activity and lifestyle program. 3: evaluate the
feasibility of implementation and evaluation of the potential of the program,
and this will take place either within the classroom during the school day, or
remotely in the home environment.
Requirements:
Applicants should be capable of submitting a PhD thesis within 3 years.
Applicants should have a first class or upper second class honours degree from
a UK Higher Education Institution or an acceptable equivalent qualification. A
masters degree would be an advantage, as would a background in exercise science
or other health related science and experience of working with children with
disabilities and in quantitative research methods.
EU
Applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (or equivalent)
with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued in the last
2 years by an approved test centre.
How to apply:
Applications should be sent to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk
and should include the following application form: /Documents/Research-Opportunities/PhD-studentship-application-jan-14/
Faculty
of Health and Life Sciences,
Department
of Nursing and Midwifery
3
Year, full-time PhD studentship
Project
Title: Optimising Head and Neck cancer follow-up care – enhancing patients’
self-efficacy for symptom monitoring and self-examination: a mixed-methods study.
Eligibility:
UK/EU with settled status
applicants who must be a permanent resident in UK
Closing date: 31st May 2021
Start
date: September 2021
Bursary
p.a.: Bursary equivalent to UKRI national minimum stipend plus fees (2021/22
bursary rate is £15,609)
University
fees and bench fees at the Home rate will be met by the University for the 3
years of the Studentship.
Supervisors:
Dr Lauren Matheson, Professor Paul Carding, Dr Jo Brett (Supportive Cancer Care Research group, Oxford Institute of Nursing,
Midwifery and Allied Health Research)
Clinical Advisors: Professor Hisham Mehanna
(University of Birmingham); Katie Lawrence and Dr Stuart Winter (Oxford
University Hospitals Trust)
Project:
Head and Neck cancer (HNC) has one of the highest
disease burdens of any cancer and can result in significant physical and
psychosocial impairments. Due to increases in numbers
of HNC patients and rising demands on NHS services, a form of patient-initiated
follow-up for HNC is currently being explored by the PETNECK 2 study (‘PET-CT guided,
symptom-based, patient-initiated follow-up
versus clinical follow-up in HNC patients’). This NIHR Programme Grant for
Applied Research is led by the University of Birmingham, in collaboration with
Oxford Brookes University, University of St Andrews, Imperial College London
and the University of Bristol. In PETNECK2, participants
on patient-initiated follow-up (intervention arm) will have an education and support
session (1 year post treatment) and will receive an information and support
resource (a digital app/booklet).
This
PhD will be part of the PETNECK2 study, and using a mixed-methods approach,
will provide a more in-depth evaluation of HNC patients, caregivers and health
professionals experiences and views regarding the behaviours of symptom
monitoring and self-examination. The PhD aims to enhance understanding of how
HNC patients’ self-efficacy regarding these behaviours can be optimised.
Four
research phases are proposed; a systematic review; survey of HNC health professionals; workshops with PETNECK2 allied
health professionals; qualitative interviews with patients and caregivers. Findings
will inform the evaluation of PETNECK2 and the wider development of materials aiming
to optimise these behaviours in HNC patients and the general population.
For informal inquiries please contact Lauren
Matheson: l.matheson@brookes.ac.uk
Requirements:
Applicants should be capable of submitting a PhD thesis within 3 years.
Applicants should have a first class or upper second class honours degree from
a Higher Education Institution in the UK or an acceptable equivalent
qualification. A masters degree would be an advantage, as would a background in
psychology or health/social sciences, or a background in nursing/allied health
professions and/or equivalent experience of working with cancer patients.
EU
Applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (or equivalent)
with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued in the last
2 years by an approved test centre.
How to apply:
Applications should be sent to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk
and should include the following application form: /Documents/Research-Opportunities/PhD-studentship-application-jan-14/