3.5 Year PhD Studentship: Sex Differences in Interoception

Applications are invited for a 3.5 year PhD studentship in the Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London.

We are inviting applications for a September 2023 or January 2024 start. The position will be supervised by Dr. Jennifer Murphy, whose research investigates the relationship between interoception and social-affective processes. In 2023, we are starting an MRC-funded project, “Sex differences in interoception and mental health: an investigation across the menstrual cycle”. This project provides the first test of the hypothesis that sex differences in interoception relate to sex differences in mood and common mental disorders, and the influence of the menstrual cycle on interoception. This project involves lab-based physiological assessment and remote physiological data collection. We are currently recruiting a team for this project, including a postdoctoral researcher, and we are looking for a PhD student to join the team, investigating questions that expand the scope of this grant.

The position offers an exceptional opportunity to develop skills in experimental design, physiological assessment (cardiac, respiratory, SCR) and app-based measurement, and to contribute towards the collection of the largest dataset examining interoceptive ability over time.

Awards include a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (for 2022-2023 this was £19,668 pa) for 3.5 years, covering tuition fees at home student rate. International applicants are welcome to apply but would be required to document secured finances for the difference between home and international tuition fees.

The post is based in Egham, Surrey where the College is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus within commuting distance from London. At Royal Holloway, the post holder will join an active postgraduate research community, in a thriving research environment. The Department of Psychology ranked 3^rd in the UK in the 2021 REF for our world-leading and internationally excellent research. Research in the department spans a breadth of topics across psychological sciences and neuroscience, and there is particular expertise in the area of interoception. The post holder will benefit from excellent facilities (EEG, MRI, dedicated physiological recording equipment) and access to extensive training provisions provided by the doctoral school. The post holder will also benefit from the expertise provided by members of the project team including Dr David Plans (RHUL), Dr Matteo Lisi (RHUL) and Dr Jenny Hall (UCL).

Applicants for all studentships should ideally hold, or be predicted to achieve, a first-class undergraduate degree or equivalent in Psychology or related disciplines (minimum requirement: 2.1). An MSc in a psychology is desirable, but not essential. Applicants will need to submit a CV, cover letter, a project proposal (see guidance here), transcript(s) and copies of any qualifications, and a personal statement – further details are available on our website. Applicants must apply on the college application portal.

To apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

For an informal discussion about the post please contact the PI Dr Jennifer Murphy (Jennifer.murphy@rhul.ac.uk). For more details please see https://www.jennymurphylab.com/

Interview Date: TBC

Royal Holloway is committed to equality and diversity, and encourages applications from all sections of the community. Read here about structures and initiatives around equality and diversity, including information on staff diversity networks.

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