Co-producing and piloting metabolic interventions to improve mental and physical health in severe mental illness

Award details

We invite applications for a fully funded 3-year PhD studentship based in the Department of Psychological Medicine at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at  King’s College London. This exciting opportunity is embedded within the new UKRI-funded Hub for Metabolic Psychiatry, a national interdisciplinary research programme aiming to transform understanding and treatment of the complex interactions between severe mental illness (SMI) and metabolic dysfunction.

The successful candidate will contribute to Workstream 4 of the Hub, which is focused on the co-design and testing of novel metabolic interventions for people with SMI. This workstream is responding to the urgent need for acceptable, accessible, and effective interventions to address the high burden of metabolic comorbidities—such as obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes—among individuals with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other SMIs.

Crucially, there is emerging evidence that improving metabolic health may not only reduce physical health risks but also improve psychiatric symptoms, including mood, cognitive function, and treatment response.

The PhD project will include four integrated components:

1. Systematic Review: The student will conduct a review of metabolic interventions in people with SMI. The specific focus will be shaped by prior work completed by the Metabolic Hub before the start of the studentship.
2. Co-Design of Pilot Intervention: Working closely with the Lived Experience Advisory Panel and key clinical stakeholders, the student will co-design a pilot intervention (e.g., ketogenic diet, GLP-1 receptor agonists, lifestyle interventions), ensuring acceptability and relevance for the target population.
3. Pilot Delivery: The student will contribute to the running of a small-scale pilot study, assessing feasibility, acceptability, retention, and preliminary changes in psychiatric and metabolic outcomes. They will also develop and refine study procedures for future trials.
4. Process Evaluation: Finally, the student will conduct a process evaluation to understand how and why the interventions worked, or did not, using qualitative interviews, participation metrics, and co-analysis with the LEAP. These findings will inform co-produced recommendations for wider research and implementation.

As appropriate, the student will receive training in systematic review methods, clinical trial design, lived experience-led research, qualitative methods, and process evaluation. Further development opportunities include interdisciplinary placements, cross-hub mentoring, and training in PPI, data management, and research dissemination.

This studentship offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of a growing and high-impact research field, shaping future approaches to improving both physical and mental health outcomes for people with SMI. It is ideal for candidates with interests in mental health services research, metabolic health, clinical psychology, psychiatry, public health, or patient-centred intervention development.

Applicants should be enthusiastic about working collaboratively with individuals with lived experience and committed to addressing health inequalities in marginalised groups.

Interested participants are encouraged to learn more about the UKRI Hub for Metabolic Psychiatry.

Supervisors

Dr Toby Pillinger

Professor Khalida Ismail

Professor Fiona Gaughran

Start Date

1 February 2026

Award value

The award covers over a period of three years:

• Full Home rate tuition fees
• A stipend (currently £22,780/year)
• A contribution towards training, conference attendance and research costs.

Eligibility criteria

Essential criteria

1. Undergraduate degree in science based subject with grade of 2:1 or above
2. Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in psychology, public health, health services research, neuroscience, or a related discipline at Merit or above
3. Demonstrated experience in quantitative or qualitative research methods.
4. Strong interest in mental health and health inequalities, and a clear commitment to working collaboratively with people with lived experience.

Desirable criteria

1. Experience with patient and public involvement (PPI), co-production, or participatory research.
2. Familiarity with systematic review methodology or evidence synthesis tools
3. Understanding of metabolic health, obesity, or lifestyle interventions in mental health populations.

Award conditions

If English is not your first language, you will be required to provide evidence that you meet the minimum English requirements of the faculty (B and D) as prescribed by the University’s English Language requirements. If you are unable to provide this confirmation before applying any offer you are made would be conditional upon you meeting these requirements prior to enrolment.

Application process

Applying to this programme is a two-stage process

Stage One

To apply for this studentship at Stage One please send the following to Dr Dina Farran (dina.1.farran@kcl.ac.uk) by 23:59 GMT on 30 June 2025:

• CV – including both educational and professional history
• Personal statement (1 page max) on why you are interested in this project
• Brief statement (200 words max) outlining prior experience
• Two supporting references - see below.Academic references – all applications require two supporting references written on the referees' formal institutional headed notepaper. If the applicant is relying on their referees to submit a reference directly to the College, the applicant must ensure that (1) their chosen referees are made aware of the application deadline and (2) that each reference is sent from an institutional email address.

Stage Two

Successful candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview.

Interviews are planned for week commencing 11 August 2025. Day and times to be confirmed.

Following interviews, candidates will be contacted via email and informed of the outcome of their interview.