PhD in Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (1+3/ +3 Programme)
The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (formerly the Institute of Psychiatry) is world renowned for the quality of our research, for psychiatry and psychology. We are the most cited research centre outside the US, and the second most cited in the world as ranked by Thomson ISI Essential Science Indicators. The quality of our research has been recognised in the last UK HEFCE Research Excellence Framework (2014) where within Unit of Assessment (UoA) 4, Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, we were judged to be amongst the UK institutions with the highest research power.
The Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre (SGDP) is an interdisciplinary, collaborative research group that combines genetic and environmental strategies in order to study how nature and nurture interact in the development of complex behavioural dimensions and disorders. The Centre is equipped with cutting-edge research facilities, including extensive modern laboratories with state-of-the-art genomics and biomarker assay equipment, an EEG laboratory, bioinformatics resources, a modern well-supported and powered computing cluster and the Centre houses the MRC London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank.
King's College London
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Qualification type:
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Integrated Masters / Doctorate
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Location:
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London
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Funding for:
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UK Students, EU Students and International Students if they can identify funding to pay the shortfall between international and home fees.
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Funding amount:
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Stipend (at RCUK rates) plus fees at home/EU rate
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Hours:
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Full Time
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Closes:
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31st January 2018
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To start: 1st October 2018
Award
Fully funded PhD studentships (1+3) and (+3)
Projects
The Social, Genetic & Development Psychiatry Centre (SGDP) welcomes applications for several fully funded PhD studentships for autumn 2018, for either 1+3 or +3 PhD programmes.
1+3 students will undertake the MSc in Genes, Environment & Development in Psychology & Psychiatry (GED PP) for 1 year before commencing their PhD project. The MSc GED PP programme takes a highly interdisciplinary approach to the study of how genetics and the environment ('nature and nurture') combine during human development to produce behaviour, diseases and psychiatric disorders. Students are taught by world-leading experts and receive training across multiple research fields: molecular & behavioural genetics, twin modelling, statistical genetics, epigenetics, bioinformatics, social and cognitive psychology and developmental psychiatry.
+3 students may already have research experience and/or be familiar with the interdisciplinary nature of our research areas and have ideas about an appropriate SGDP project and/or research methods. They will also usually already hold an MSc (or equivalent qualification) relevant to their PhD topic.
Both programmes include continuous involvement in Centre research which focusses on exploring antisocial behaviour, anorexia and eating disorders, anxiety, autism, depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder across development using powerful analytical and molecular tools (EEG, statistics, bioinformatics, molecular genetics, epigenetics). Further information is here.
Entry Requirements
1+3
Entry requirements for the 1+3 are:
- A Bachelor's degree with 2:1 honours (or overseas equivalent) in psychology or related scientific disciplines such as behavioural, biological or mathematical sciences.
- Applications from those working in medicine or professions allied to medicine are also welcome.
- A 2:2 degree may be considered only where applicants also offer a Masters with Merit in a related subject
+3
Entry requirements for the +3 are the same as for the PhD in Social Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry MD(Res)/MPhil/PhD.
- Bachelor’s degree with 2:1 honours (or overseas equivalent) in psychology, behavioural, biological or mathematical sciences; or a relevant qualification in medicine; or a relevant professional qualification.
- A 2:2 degree may be considered only where applicants already have a Masters with Merit or above (or overseas equivalents) in a related subject.
How to Apply
Applicants must complete and submit an online admissions application, via the admissions portal by 16:00 GMT 31st January 2018.
Applicants should identify potential supervisors which are listed here.
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1+3 Candidates
Select programme: Genes Environment and Development in Psychiatry & Psychology (GED) MSc (Full-time)
In the Funding section, please tick box 5 and include the following reference: SGDP2018
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+3 Candidates
Select programme: Social Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Research MPhil/PhD (Full-time)
In the Funding section, please tick box 5 and include the following reference: SGDP2018
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In your application (whether for +3 or 1+3), you MUST include:
- Why you want to take the course that you have chosen.
- Your research interests and how they fit in with the interdisciplinary themes of the SGDP Centre.
- Confirm that your two academic referees are aware that you are applying for this course.
- State whether you are eligible for a full or fees-only RCUK studentship.
International students may apply for all the opportunities except ESRC studentships and should note that these studentships will only pay tuition fees at Home/EU rates. International students are expected to fund the difference in fees.
References must be received by the deadline for the applicant to be eligible.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Closing Date: 31st January 2018 (16:00 GMT)
Interviews: TBC
Queries about application procedure should be sent to Programme Administrator (SGDP-programme-admin@kcl.ac.uk). Academic queries about the GED PP and or doing a PhD at the centre should go to Programme Leader and PhD Chair (fruhling.Rijsdijk@kcl.ac.uk).
Further Information
Additional Funding Opportunities
In addition to general funding, this year we have specifically funded projects (1+3 and +3).
Two Charitable Grants: We have +3 or 1+3 funding for two projects “The role of calcium related biology in psychiatric disorders” in collaboration with King’s College Hospital and “The genetics of the mood disorder spectrum”, both funded by charitable grants.1+3 funding is available for those applicants who have not yet obtained a MSc or equivalent, +3 funding is available all applicants who qualify for +3 funding as above. Please state the project name you wish to apply for on your application in the funding section and apply for the MSc if applying for a 1+3 or PhD if applying for the +3.
Academic/research advice about both opportunities - Gerome.Breen@kcl.ac.uk.
ESRC CASE Funding: We have 1+3 funding (MSc GED PP + PhD) for the project "Exploring Social Factors in the Psychological Treatment of Anxiety & Mood Disorders". The successful applicant would first complete the MSc GED PP followed by a PhD on the project Exploring Social Factors in the Psychological Treatment of Anxiety & Mood Disorders. This is an ESRC CASE funding opportunity that will enable the student to work with Professor Thalia Eley and access a large dataset and train with an external company who specialise in web-based technology. More information available here.
Application information is here. Eligibility requirements are as per other ESRC studentships You will need to apply via the LISS DTP CASE studentship site as well as submit an application to the MSc GED PP on our application portal. Please state the project name in the funding section when you apply for the MSc GED PP.
Academic/research advice – Thalia.Eley@kcl.ac.uk
Another way to fund a 1+3 (MSc GED PP + PhD) or +3 (PhD only) studentship at the SGDP Centre is to apply for an ESRC studentship by applying to LISS DTP together with an SGDP supervisor: https://www.liss-dtp.ac.uk/studentships/ - deadline 31 January 2018. Please note that a range of eligibility criteria need to be met, including residency and that research projects fall substantially (>50%) within the broad social and behavioural science remit of the ESRC. For potential supervisors click here. Administrative advice - Programme Administrator (SGDP-programme-admin@kcl.ac.uk) or academic/research advice - Helen.2.Fisher@kcl.ac.uk.
Early contact with an academic supervisor is recommended.
DEADLINES: 31st January 2018 (16:00 GMT)
Other funding opportunities are listed here