Behavioural Science PhD Fellowship in Psychology

Applications are invited for a University of Warwick Behavioural Science PhD Fellowship in the Department of Psychology in collaboration with WMG starting 30 September 2024 on the broad topic of deception detection. 

Your research will be primarily experimental using psycho-physiological measures and may include enhancing existing field approaches, testing theoretical underpinnings, evaluating commercially available techniques, or developing novel approaches. You will be supported in developing the skills necessary to collect, process and analyse relevant data. The project will also include support from UK Government experts and will be relevant to external stakeholders including the Police, Probation, and National Security. 

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (minimum 2i level or equivalent) in a Behavioural Science subject including Psychology, Cognitive Science or Neuroscience. Related subjects including Physiology, Computer Science and Engineering will be considered.
• A relevant MSc is desirable but strong candidates without postgraduate qualifications will also be considered.
• Experience conducting experimental studies with human participants.
• Good quantitative research skills including statistics.
• Some knowledge of cognitive, behavioural and/or psychophysiological theories and research methods.
• Interest in deception detection research and related research methodologies (for example mock crime paradigms).
• Ability to work in teams and to liaise with external project collaborators.
• British citizenship and UK residency for seven of the last ten years.

Optional Security Clearance

Whilst the research itself will not require clearance, during your PhD you may be given the option of applying for National Security Clearance (Developed Vetting) from GCHQ. This would further enhance your understanding of applied issues within the field, facilitate research-to-practice and present additional opportunities to work alongside practitioners. Note, if you did choose to start your security clearance application you could not take any recreational drugs and would need to declare any previous drug usage at the relevant stage. Furthermore, if successful, you would be subject to provisions of the Official Secrets Act which include restrictions on travel to certain countries. Information on the process can be found on the UK Government security vetting website. Finally, note that the minimum requirement for this security clearance is British citizenship and UK residency for seven of the last ten years. Therefore, please carefully consider your eligibility before applying.

Application Process

Please include a short CV and covering letter detailing your motivation and relevant experience for this fellowship. For informal enquiries please contact Professor Derrick Watson: D.G.Watson@warwick.ac.uk

Applicants without an existing PhD application with us should apply online through the University’s Postgraduate Admissions online form: https://warwick.ac.uk/pgapply 

Applicants who already have an existing PhD application with us should instead complete the online form: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/psych/fellowships/applications 

Each applicant should submit only ONE application.

Please specify in the “Finance and Funding” section of the form that you wish to be considered for the GCHQ PhD Fellowship and also specify Professor Derrick Watson.

Funding Details

The fellowship is sponsored by GCHQ and offers Full Tuition fees and a UKRI stipend for 3.5 years, currently £19,237 per year but expected to increase and the inflation rate applied by UKRI is generally expected to be in line with RPI.

Closing Date: 30 June 2024, 23:59 hrs

Advert information