Professor Emily Simonoff heads the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry which has a diverse research programme studying both common and rarer, severe disorders that start in childhood often persisting into adulthood. The disorders studied in the Department include: autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, affective disorders, substance misuse, obsessive compulsive disorder, intellectual disability and eating disorder as well as parenting problems and deliberate self harm.
We aim to improve our understanding of how mental disorders develop and establish methods of treatment and prevention. Our research extends into risk factors (both biological and environmental) for the development of disorders and treatment strategies. Members of the Department use a range of scientific methods, including epidemiology, behaviour and molecular genetics, neuroimaging and clinical trials.
Research receives substantive funding from external bodies such as the Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust, National Institute of Health Research as well as smaller charities and other arms of the government.
We have an integrated scheme of research, teaching and clinical work. The aim is to understand how disorders develop and to apply the results to make new treatments and assessments, evaluate them and provide need and cost information for health services planners. The links between basic science and translation into improved clinical services are strengthened by the structures of the academic health sciences centre, King’s Health Partners.
Many senior academic staff members have particularly strong links with the National Specialist teams based at the Maudsley Hospital. These teams focus on the development of methods and services in specific clinical areas that are integrated with the Department’s research interests.
The Department’s teaching is postgraduate and focuses on:
In collaboration with the Children’s Directorate of theSouth Londonand Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust the Department provides postgraduate clinical training for CT1-3 ‘core trainees’ and ST4-6 ‘specialty registrars’.
Applicants should possess a minimum of an upper second class honours degree from a UK university or the overseas equivalent. Applicants whose qualifications have been gained outside the UK will be checked by the Health Schools Admissions Centre to establish equivalency with these standards before an offer is sent and applicants will need to demonstrate at interview that their background and experience, general education and scolarship are appropriate. All applicants need to possess an adequate level of English competence.
Firstly identify a suitable supervisor within the relevant department: for a searchable list of available supervisors, please see our website (www.iop.kcl.ac.uk/apps/supervisors). Alternatively, you can contact the department directly for general guidance on potential supervisors whose research interests most closely match those of your own. You will then need to complete an application form, available from our website: https://myapplication.kcl.ac.uk/ and provide two references. Successful applicants will be required to obtain approval for their research project prior to registration. The relevant form can be downloaded at http://www.kcl.ac.uk/iop/research/pgr/apply.aspx
Forms should be completed in collaboration with your prospective supervisor. For information on application and project approval procedures please contact educationsupport@iop.kcl.ac.uk.
After graduating from Medical school in 2006, I worked as a researcher in mental health in Sri Lanka. In 2009, I received a Wellcome Trust Masters Fellowship in Public Health & Tropical Medicine and followed the Masters in Psychiatric Research at the Institute of Psychiatry (IoP). I had the honour of being selected as the first ever recipient of Professor Robin Murray Award for the best MSc dissertation in Psychiatric Research course, which was very rewarding and gratifying for me. Subsequently, I was awarded a King's Overseas Research Studentship to follow a PhD in Health Services Research at the IoP.
I am currently conducting research in migration and mental health in the section of Epidemiology. My previous and current experience of education at King's is very rewarding and nurturing, greatly enhancing my skills and exposing me to world leaders in my academic field. I plan to make a an academic/research career in mental health and I think the education I receive at King's stands to be of great use for a successful future.
The Denmark Hill campus and Institute of Psychiatry, where I am based at are modern with many facilities that aid the educational process. It's located close to central London with good transport links.
On a personal note, I love the city of London, and prefer this city to live in over others. I love the vibrant, multi-cultural and multifaceted life in London. As a funded student, I think the city offers enough interesting to do in your free time to keep you sufficiently entertained while not being financially draining.