Investigating biological mechanisms mediating the long lasting impact of childhood maltreatment on physical and mental health
To start: 1st February 2017
Award
1 fully funded 3-year PhD studentship.
The studentship includes payment of tuition fees at Home/EU rates, a stipend based on RCUK rates and a limited consumables/ conference budget.
Project
Childhood maltreatment is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and particularly, major depression. The aim of the project is to improve our understanding of which biological mechanisms are activated in response to maltreatment (e.g. inflammatory cytokines, increased biological ageing), and to identify new treatments which may help to reverse the long-term effects of maltreatment on the brain.
This project will utilise a combination of molecular biology, neural stem cell work, and analysis of inflammatory cytokine/genetic data from clinical datasets to investigate the effects of childhood maltreatment on biological systems, and to identify drugs which can reverse some of the impacts on the brain.
The candidate will be based at the SGDP centre, King’s College London, with a research period spent at the Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute.
Entry requirements
We welcome applications from candidates with a good first degree in behavioural, biological or mathematical sciences with an enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research. An MSc is not essential, but relevant training may be beneficial. All applications are considered within a competitive environment.
Award type and eligibility
Applicants should have, or expect to gain at least an upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject.
How to apply
Applicants must complete and submit an online admissions application, via the admissions portal by midnight (23:59 GMT), 1st October 2016. On the ‘Choosing a programme’ page, please select ‘Research degrees’ and enter the keywords Social Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry.
Within your application, please include:
- Academic Transcripts – where applicable, academic transcripts must be submitted with the online admissions application
- Details of your qualifications (you will need to attach copies)
- Details of your A levels or equivalent including subject and grade
- Details of previous employment
- A personal statement describing your interests and why you wish to apply for this project. Please include this as an attachment rather than using the text box.
- Academic References – all admissions applications require two supporting references. If the applicant is relying on his/her referees to submit references directly to the College after he/she has submitted his/her admissions application, then the applicant must ensure that their chosen referees are made aware of the funding deadline.
In the Funding section, please tick box 5 and include the following reference: TP-SGDP-2017
Please note there is no need to complete the Research Proposal section in your application.
If you have any queries regarding the studentship or the application process, please contact heloise.anderson@kcl.ac.uk, Programme Administrator.
References must be received by the deadline for the applicant to be eligible.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Closing Date: Saturday 1st October 2016 (12:00 GMT)
Interviews: Monday 10th October 2016
Further Information
https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/timothy-powell(a4aff70e-0e7d-482d-a0b5-2b9756315ba1)/biography.html
https://www.ted.com/speakers/sandrine_thuret
https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/gerome.breen.html