Oxford Brookes University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Department of Psychology Health and Professional Development
Project title: The role of object affordances in selection and inhibition
Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU
Closing date: 24.00 (midnight) 12 April 2018
Duration: three years
Start date: September 2018
Value p.a.: Bursary of £14,777 plus fees
Supervisors:
Dr Sanjay Kumar & Dr Michael Pilling
Project description:
When a manipulable object is perceived, this automatically elicits the associated action within the brain resulting in activity in the relevant part of the motor cortex. This also seems to facilitate attentional selection of relevant objects and
result in attentional inhibition of unrelated objects in the viewed environment. Our earlier works using EEG and ERP have shown that manipulating action information in the objects can facilitate perceptual decisions and modulate attentional selection
(Kumar et al., 2012, Experimental Brain research, Kumar et al., 2013, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Humphreys et al., 2013, Philosophical Transaction of the Royal Society). Our recent pilot work using negative compatibility effect paradigm show
that meaningful action integration between objects may overcome early inhibitory mechanisms.
The research work will extend this line of research. The PhD candidate will investigate selection and inhibition mechanisms associated with object directed actions (affordances) using EEG/ERP, TMS and patients with motor disorders. 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 findings at scientific meetings and to publish work during the course of the PhD. 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 have (or be expecting) a first class or upper second class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or MSc or acceptable equivalent qualification in psychology or related cognate discipline (neuroscience,
engineering, physics, mathematics or natural sciences). The candidate should be able to work with varied groups of patient populations, if required, and be interested in learning EEG/ERP methods. EU Applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic
test certificate with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued since 7th
March 2016 by an approved test centre. We are prepared to consider alternative acceptable evidence of English Language ability.
How to apply:
Applications should be sent to
hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk
and should include an application form
(http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/images/research/phd-studentship-application-form-jan-14.doc) and a project proposal (max 2000 words) including background, aims and an outline of how those aims will be addressed, applicants can liaise with Dr Sanjay Kumar when developing their proposal.
Please note only EU/UK nationals/permanent residents are eligible to apply for this studentship. If you are not sure if you are eligible please contact Research Administrator,
hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk.
Completion of a DBS check is required on enrolment the cost of this will be covered by the University.
Oxford Brookes University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Department of Psychology, Social Work and Public Health
Project title: Constraints to Phonological Statistical Learning in Adults and Infants
Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU
Closing date: 24.00 (midnight) 12 April 2018
Duration: three years
Start date: September 2018
Value p.a.: Bursary of £14,777 plus fees
Supervisors:
Dr Nayeli Gonzalez-Gomez
&
Dr Michael Pilling
Project description:
There is ample evidence that humans possess powerful statistical learning capacities. This general ability to automatically compute distributional regularities in the input has been found in infants from 2 months of age, adults and, to a certain
degree, this capacity has been found even in non-human primates. This general capacity is assumed to be very useful in language acquisition, facilitating the discovery of linguistic regularities, including speech categories, sound patterns, words and
rudimentary syntax. However, at present, the mechanisms and the level of generalization of these acquisitions remain largely unknown.
Some of our work in this area explores constraints on infants’ statistical learning, and more precisely, the perceptual level at which phonotactic acquisition operates. The Labial-Coronal bias was used to explore three different hypotheses: a) the
“single-feature” hypothesis; b) the “multiple-feature” hypothesis; and c) the “phoneme-based” hypothesis (Gonzalez-Gomez & Nazzi, 2014).
A PhD in this area could directly follow on from our work, to further explore which kinds of computations are performed over the input? Which features/characteristics are salient enough to be taken into account? How general or specific are
these capacities? Whether adults and infants (e.g., 10-month-olds) perform computations in a similar way? Do similar kinds of constrains apply to other domains (e.g., visual domain)? The successful applicant will be expected to design, run and
analyse experimental data exploring the mechanisms and the level of generalization of statistically-based phonological acquisitions. 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 Nayeli Gonzalez-Gomez:
n.gonzalez-gomez@brookes.ac.uk
Requirements:
Applicants should have (or be expecting) a first class or upper second class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or acceptable equivalent qualification in psychology or related cognate discipline (knowledge of research design
and statistics is essential). EU Applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued since 7th
March 2016 by an approved test centre. We are prepared to consider alternative acceptable evidence of English Language ability.
How to apply:
Applications should be sent to
hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk
and should include an application form
(http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/images/research/phd-studentship-application-form-jan-14.doc) and a project proposal (max 2000 words) including background, aims and an outline of how those aims will be addressed, applicants can liaise with Dr Nayeli Gonzalez-Gomez when developing their proposal.
Completion of a DBS check is required on enrolment the cost of this will be covered by the University.
Oxford Brookes University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Department of Psychology, Health and Professional Development
Project title: Infant and child sleep and parental-mind mindedness
Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU
Closing date: 24.00 (midnight) 12 April 2018
Duration: three years
Start date: September 2018
Value p.a.: Bursary of £14,777 plus fees
Supervisors:
Dr Luci Wiggs
&
Morag MacLean
Project description:
Obtaining an adequate amount of good quality sleep is important for infant and child development yet sleeplessness is one the most common behaviour problems encountered by parents of young children. Behavioural management (i.e. teaching parents to
use behavioural principles to help their child learn desirable sleep behaviours and unlearn undesirable sleep behaviours) is the first-line intervention approach offered by mainstream clinical services and has a strong evidence base for being
effective (Meltzer, & Mindell, 2014) however it is not considered an acceptable approach to parenting by some families (Etherton, Blunden, & Hauck, 2016). Attention to elements of parents’ cognitive style (e.g.Tikotzky, & Sadeh, 2010) may
be relevant for understanding and reducing parental resistance to the use of such behaviour-change techniques and also as a means of facilitating behaviour change.
Mind-mindedness has been defined as a parent’s proclivity “to treat the infant as an individual with a mind rather than merely as a creature with needs that must be satisfied” (Meins, Fernyhough, Fradley & Tuckey, 2001, p. 638). Mothers have been
found to vary greatly in their levels of maternal mind-mindedness. There is a burgeoning literature on the beneficial impact of maternal mind-mindedness on children’s development and its links with secure attachment relationships (Arnott & Meins,
2007; Lundy 2003; Meins et al., 2012) but its role in relation to child sleep, and management of sleep child difficulties, has been relatively ignored.
A PhD in this area would aim to further understanding of the links between parental mind-mindedness and child sleep. This could include attention to how parental mind-mindedness is linked to parents’ use of bedtime settling behaviours with their
child, their attitudes towards and use of various approaches to management of child sleep difficulties or exploration of the contribution of maternal and paternal mind-mindedness. The successful applicant will be expected to design, run and
analyse data from experimental studies.
For further information contact Dr Luci Wiggs:
lwiggs@brookes.ac.uk.
Requirements:
Applicants should have (or be expecting) a first class or upper second class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or acceptable equivalent qualification in psychology or related cognate discipline (knowledge of research design
and statistics is essential). 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 since 7th
March 2016 by an approved test centre.
How to apply:
Applications should be sent to
hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk
and should include an application form
(http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/images/research/phd-studentship-application-form-jan-14.doc) and a project proposal (max 2000 words) including background, aims and an outline of how those aims will be addressed.
Oxford Brookes University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Department of Psychology, Health and Professional Development
Project title: Attachment, mentalising and transmission of anxiety from human to horse
Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU
Closing date: 24.00 (midnight) 12 April 2018
Duration: three years
Start date: September 2018
Value p.a.: Bursary of £14,777 plus fees
Supervisors:
Morag MacLean
&
Dr Luci Wiggs
Project description:
A common belief among experienced horsemen and women is that riders and handlers transmit their emotional state to the horse during interactions and that this influences the horse’s subsequent behaviour. Considering how horses are likely to react in
a given situation is a natural part of riding and can include both thinking “something could happen but I’ll deal with it” and a more detailed analysis such as “the horse will be thinking/feeling ‘X’ and is likely to behave in this way”. This latter
form of thinking involves attributing mental and emotional states to the animal. The extent and sophistication of this kind of thinking has not been much investigated in specific contexts where such thinking might impact on animal behaviour or
human safety. Existing experimental research into the transmission of anxiety between human and horse and has used heart rate (HR) as a measure of stress in both human and horse and there is some empirical evidence to support the idea that
anxiety is transmitted. However research in this area has been very limited in scope and has not included other influences on inter-species transmission of anxiety such as equestrian skill, confidence, emotional attachment to the horse,
background anxiety etc.
A PhD in this area would aim to further our understanding of the relationship between horse-related mentalising and interaction with the horse. The research could include studies of how mental representations of the horse influence interaction and
observational and psychophysical studies of human and horse interaction. The successful applicant will be expected to design, run and analyse data from experimental studies. 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 Morag MacLean:
mmaclean@brookes.ac.uk
Requirements:
Applicants should have (or be expecting) a first class or upper second class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or acceptable equivalent qualification in psychology or related cognate discipline (knowledge of research design
and statistics is essential). Applicants should also have experience working with horses and be proficient riders. EU Applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued
since 7th
March 2016 by an approved test centre. Alternative acceptable evidence of English Language ability would be considered.
How to apply:
Applications should be sent to
hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk
and should include an application form
(http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/images/research/phd-studentship-application-form-jan-14.doc) and a project proposal (max 2000 words) including background, aims and an outline of how those aims will be addressed.
Oxford Brookes University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Department of Psychology, Health and Professional Development
Project title: Self-images and autobiographical memory
Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU
Closing date: 24.00 (midnight) 12 April 2018
Duration: three years
Start date: September 2018
Value p.a.: Bursary of £14,777 plus fees
Supervisors:
Dr Clare Rathbone
and
Dr Luci Wiggs
Project description:
This research studentship will elucidate the relationship between self and memory across the lifespan, in different clinical groups and, potentially, in relation to sleep/wake patterns. The knowledge we possess about ourselves is multi-faceted,
dynamic, and closely related to our emotional well-being (Rathbone et al., 2015). By using ‘self-images’ (such as being a sister, a football fan, or an insomniac) as autobiographical memory cues we can examine the relationship between self and memory
(e.g. the IAM Task; Rathbone et al., 2008), and explore the role that particularly self-relevant autobiographical memories play in mood and well-being. This project could also investigate the impact of sleep disturbance on autobiographical memory and
conceptions of self.
There is further scope for examining the development of self and memory in childhood and adolescence, in clinical disorders such as depression, and/or in cases of memory impairment, depending on 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. 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 Clare Rathbone:
crathbone@brookes.ac.uk
Requirements:
Applicants should have (or be expecting) a first class or upper second class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or acceptable equivalent qualification in psychology or related cognate discipline (knowledge of research design
and statistics is essential). EU Applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued since 7th
March 2016 by an approved test centre. We are prepared to consider alternative acceptable evidence of English Language ability.
How to apply:
Applications should be sent to
hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk
and should include an application form
(http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/images/research/phd-studentship-application-form-jan-14.doc) and a project proposal (max 2000 words) including background, aims and an outline of how those aims will be addressed.
Please note only EU/UK nationals/permanent residents are eligible to apply for this studentship. Please do not apply if you are not a UK/EU national/permanent resident. If you are not sure if you are eligible please contact Research Administrator,
hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk.
Completion of a DBS check is required on enrolment the cost of this will be covered by the University.
Oxford Brookes University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Psychology
Project title: The psychological consequences of subjectivist moral philosophies
Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU
Closing date: 24.00 (midnight) 12 April 2018
Duration: three years
Start date: September 2018
Value p.a.: Bursary of £14,777 plus fees
Supervisors:
Dr Ben Kenward
and
Dr Mark Burgess
(Psychology);
Dr Helen De Cruz
and Dr
Johan De Smedt
(Philosophy)
Project description:
This project will use methods of experimental psychology to investigate the connections between different views on morality and the behaviours of individuals. The student will examine the consequences of exposure to and adherence to different
ideas about the nature of morality using a variety of empirical methods such as quantitative surveys and experimental priming.
The societal impact of views on morality comes not only from the values espoused by different moral systems, but also from divergent ideas about what morality actually is (meta-ethics). A key question in meta-ethics is the extent to which moral
values are regarded as objective laws that apply no matter what humans think, rather than being generated by changeable subjective opinion. A scientific approach to morality holds that if biological or cultural evolution had proceeded differently,
the range of human moral systems could have been very different. However, this idea may lead to a problematic subjectivist view where harmful acts cannot be condemned because there are no universal moral laws. Indeed, it has been demonstrated
experimentally that exposure to moral subjectivist views can lead to antisocial behaviour. However, taking a subjectivist stance on morality might plausibly have beneficial effects on behaviour. A lack of strong moral convictions is associated with
increased receptiveness to others’ opinions, useful in political climates characterised by polarised and closed opinions. Furthermore, studies that have demonstrated negative outcomes of moral subjectivism have arguably focussed on caricatured
versions that problematically equate moral subjectivism with a suspension of moral judgement.
This project will examine the effects on behaviour of more nuanced moral subjectivist views. The supervisory team is cross-disciplinary, including psychologists and philosophers, facilitating the ultimate goal of finding analytically coherent
meta-ethical positions that can be empirically demonstrated to promote positive behaviour.
Requirements:
Applicants should have (or be expecting) a first class or upper second class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or acceptable equivalent qualification in psychology or related cognate discipline (knowledge of research design
and statistics is essential). EU Applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued since 7th
March 2016 by an approved test centre. We are prepared to consider alternative acceptable evidence of English Language ability.
How to apply:
Applications should be sent to
hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk
and should include an application form
(http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/images/research/phd-studentship-application-form-jan-14.doc) and a project proposal (max 2000 words) including background, aims and an outline of how those aims will be addressed.
Applicants are encouraged to liaise with Dr Ben Kenward (bkenward@brookes.ac.uk) before preparing an application.
Oxford Brookes University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Department of Psychology, Health and Professional Development
Project title: Dual process interventions to change health behaviours
Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU
Closing date: 24.00 (midnight) 12 April 2018
Duration: three years
Start date: September 2018
Value p.a.: Bursary of £14,777 plus fees
Supervisors:
Dr Emma Davies
&
Professor David Foxcroft
Project description:
It is now well recognised that unhealthy behaviours such as excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and unhealthy eating are influenced by non-conscious processes, for example habit, and environmental cues, such as the social
context. Because of this, researchers are now searching for new ways to improve people’s health based on dual process models of behaviours. One theory, for example, is the Prototype Willingness Model (PWM), which assumes that unhealthy
behaviours are driven by social reactions to risk-conducive situations. Two meta-analyses have shown that there is strong support for the PWM in explaining and predicting health behaviours, but at present, less is known about how to apply this model
within an intervention. This project will use the PWM, or another dual process model, as the basis for developing an intervention and furthermore, explore how we can measure change within such an intervention.
A PhD in this area could focus on excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity or unhealthy eating. In our research we employ frameworks such as the Behaviour Change Wheel to systematically develop interventions using qualitative and
quantitative methods. Our research also has a strong grounding in theory and so we would welcome applicants who are willing to grapple with both theoretical and applied issues.
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 Emma Davies:
edavies@brookes.ac.uk
Requirements:
Applicants should have (or be expecting) a first class or upper second class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or acceptable equivalent qualification in psychology or related cognate discipline (knowledge of research design
and statistics is essential). EU Applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued since 7th
March 2016 by an approved test centre. We are prepared to consider alternative acceptable evidence of English Language ability.
How to apply:
Applications should be sent to
hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk
and should include an application form
(http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/images/research/phd-studentship-application-form-jan-14.doc) and a project proposal (max 2000 words) including background, aims and an outline of how those aims will be addressed.
Please note only EU/UK nationals/permanent residents are eligible to apply for this studentship. Please do not apply if you are not a UK/EU national/permanent resident. If you are not sure if you are eligible please contact Research Administrator,
hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk.
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
Investigating the genetic and developmental changes underlying the evolution of organ size
This is a competitive 3 year Full Time PhD project
Director of Studies and main supervisor:
Prof Alistair McGregor
Additional supervisors:
Dr Daniela Santos Nunes &
Dr Maike Kittelmann
Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants only ---- (who must be permanently resident in UK/EU)
Start Date: September 2018
Value p.a.: Bursary of £14777 for Academic Year 2018/19 & fees
Application deadline: 24.00 (midnight) Friday, 20 April, 2018
Description of project:
Background
The genitalia of male
Drosophila
have diverged rapidly in size and shape between closely related species driven by sexual selection. However, the genes underlying these changes have not yet been identified, which is exacerbated by a limited understanding of genital development
compared to other tissues.
Aims
This project will combine developmental genetics, bioimaging and evolutionary approaches to better understand the genetic regulation and cell behaviour underlying genital development in
Drosophila
as well as testing candidate genes underlying diversification of these structures between species. This will provide new insights into developmental processes and the evolutionary diversification of organisms.
Training
Training will be provided at the nexus of wet-lab and computational biology: in genomic engineering using CRISPR/Cas9, molecular biology,
Drosophila
genetics, bioinformatics and bioimaging using the state-of-the-art facilities available in our department.
Key words
Genetics, Development, Evolution, CRISPR, Gene expression Gene regulation, Cell biology.
For further details on the research project please contact main supervisor: Prof Alistair McGregor,
amcgregor@brookes.ac.uk.
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.
How to apply:
To apply, please download the application form
here. Please complete the form and email it to
hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk.
With application enclose a CV and scanned copy of your degree certificates and transcripts. Please also provide up to date details of two referees on the application form. Research Administrator would request references from these referees at a
later stage. Additionally if appropriate, an IELTS Academic test certificate from an approved test centre:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/491093/2016-01-11_-Approved_Secure_English_Language_Tests_and_Test_Centres_-_Website.pdf
Exceptionally we are prepared to consider alternative acceptable evidence of English Language ability.
With application enclose a CV and scanned copy of your degree certificates and transcripts plus two signed academic references. Additionally if appropriate an IELTS Academic test certificate from an approved test centre.
Applications only accepted by e-mail
hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk
Funding Notes:
Please note only EU/UK nationals/permanent residents are eligible to apply for this studentship. Please do not apply if you are not a UK/EU national/permanent resident. If you are not sure if you are eligible please contact Research Administrator,
hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk.
Related Subjects:
Cell Biology / Development
Evolution
Genetics