Translational Research in Mental Health and Neuroscience
Start date
1st October 2023
Award(s)
7 fully funded 3-year PhD studentships & 12 fully-funded 4-year PhD studentships, full-time, NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC)
Programme
The NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is offering up to seven fully funded 3-year PhD studentships, plus up to twelve fully funded 4-year PhD studentships to applicants with backgrounds in: neuroscience, psychology, biological science, social science, physical science, epidemiology, mathematics, applied and health statistics; bioinformatics and computer science; data science; machine and deep learning; natural language processing.
These awards are funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), through the Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).
Our aim is to pioneer multidisciplinary translational research and experimental medicine in the areas of mental health and neuroscience.
To achieve this we select the best students and provide them with excellent training, tailored flexibly to their individual needs and interests. We will equip them with the intellectual and technical skills that are needed for the future of translational research, and complement this with key transferable skills (including public engagement, business development and entrepreneurship) to ensure that they emerge as well-rounded scientists, prepared for their next career stage. Our excellent clinical setting will ensure all students benefit from an understanding of the context of their research and produce scientists with a strong translational ethos.
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust is the UK’s largest NHS mental health service provider with a long history of involvement in translational research and training in partnership with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London.
The IoPPN is the largest academic community in Europe dedicated to the study, treatment and prevention of mental health problems and neurodegenerative disease. It is the world’s leading centre for mental health research in terms of citations of our publications. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework the IoPPN was judged to have a 100% 'outstanding' (4*) world leading research environment. The impact of its research outside academia scored 92% 'outstanding' (4*) and 8% 'very considerable' (3*).
Projects
A wide range of PhD projects are offered with opportunities for applicants from diverse academic disciplines.
3-year studentships: Projects for these studentships are listed under the following headings:
- Digital Therapies
- Informatics
- Pain and Addictions
- Trials, Genomics and Prediction
- Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement
Details of available projects can be viewed on the 3-year Projects page.
4-year studentships: Projects for these studentships are categorised according to the main Maudsley BRC Strategic Goal that is applicable for each project:
- Whole Person Care
- Tranlational Informatics
- Precision Psychiatry
- Novel Therapeutics
Details of available projects can be viewed on the 4-year projects page.
A complete list of 3-year and 4-year project titles is available on a separate page.
Supervisors
Supervisor details are listed with the details for each project.
Entry requirements
The programme is very competitive and applicants must have, or be predicted to obtain at least a 2.1 or equivalent overseas qualification in a relevant science subject.
Students who do not meet the above primary criteria may apply if they satisfy the following conditions:
- A 2.2 BSc degree and a MSc in a relevant subject with Merit or Distinction.
- A 2.1 or higher non-science first degree (BA) and a MSc in a relevant subject with Merit or Distinction.
English Language: Applicants for these studentships must meet the King's College London Band D English language requirements. Any offer you are made will be conditional upon you meeting these requirements prior to enrolment.
Further information is available on the King's College London English language entry requirements page.
Award types and eligibility
- Full tuition fees, including any international fee - please see Eligibility below;
- A stipend (currently £19,668 per year);
- A contribution towards training, conference attendance and research costs.
The NIHR Maudsley BRC funding supports Home fee status students and up to seven Overseas students. For guidance about fee status, please read the information provided under Awards, Eligibility and Entry Requirements
To be treated as a Home student, candidates must meet one of the following criteria:
-
A UK national (meeting residency requirements)
-
Settled status
-
Pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements)
-
Indefinite leave to remain or enter
Up to 7 studentships can be awarded to Overseas students – full tuition fees will be paid.
Further information
Further information about these studentships is provided on the NIHR Maudsley BRC website
About the IoPPN (http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/about/index.aspx)
Studying at the IoPPN (http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/study/index.aspx)
MSc Developmental Psychology & Psychopathology at the IoPPN (https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/courses/developmental-psychology-psychopathology-msc)
Research degrees at the IoPPN (lhttps://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/study/postgraduate-research-programmes)
How to apply
Applying to the programme is a three-stage process:
Stage One consists of completing an online application form to inform us of your qualifications and relevant experience, your motivation for applying and your future career plans.
Stage Two
- Successful candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview in May.
- References will be requested.
Stage Three
- Successful candidates will be asked to submit an application and Project Approval Form (PAF) via King’s Apply where final checks on academic qualifications, English language requirements and fee status will be made.
Before applying please read full guidance under Application Process – Stages One to Three and Stage One – Online Application
Applicants are welcome to email supervisors about the projects they are interested in applying for. The email addresses for supervisors are provided with the details for each project.
For enquiries about the studentships, applicants should email maudsley.brc@kcl.ac.uk.
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Education support team at ioppn.pgr@kcl.ac.uk.
Closing date
23:59 (GMT) on Sunday 12th March 2023 for First Stage Online Applications
Interviews
Interviews are planned for the week of 2nd to 5th May but dates are not yet confirmed. The Maudsley BRC website will be updated when we have confirmed interview dates.