PhD Studentship in Psychology : Transforming menopause care through at-home hormone monitoring

Supervisors:  

Dr Katherine Finlay, Psychology (Lead)

Collaboration Partners:

Dr Alexandra Oti, Unravel Health

Dr Chanais Matthias, Manchester Metropolitan University

Project Overview:   

Hormone-driven conditions affect billions of women globally, impacting everything from cardiovascular to mental health. Despite this, women face significant delays in diagnosis and treatment, often experiencing a trial-and-error approach due to a lack of comprehensive hormone testing data. This project aims to demonstrate that frequent hormone monitoring, combined with education and symptom monitoring, will improve diagnostic accuracy and improve treatment selection and patient outcomes. This PhD studentship is expected to deliver the following outcomes:

• A validated protocol for at-home hormone monitoring using the Unravel Mini-Lab in the context of menopause.
• Demonstrated improvement in diagnostic accuracy and treatment selection for women experiencing menopause through the use of the Mini-Lab.
• Increased patient autonomy and improved quality of life for women managing menopause.
• A user-friendly and effective psycho-education tool for menopause monitoring.
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences.
• Contribution to an impact case study for REF 2029.
• A strong foundation for future research and development of the Unravel Mini-Lab, including larger-scale clinical trials and commercialisation efforts.
• Peer reviewed publications in medicine and psychology journals.

Eligibility: 

• Applicants should hold or expect to gain a minimum of an MSc in Psychology, Public Health, Epidemiology or equivalent in a related field. Candidates performing at Merit or Distinction level at MSc will be preferred.
• Applicants should have strong quantitative and qualitative research skills and willingness to develop expertise in urinary tract infection research and clinical trials management.
• Applicants should have strong interpersonal abilities, such that they can work closely with people seeking hormone testing, clinicians, funders and stakeholders.
• Due to the nature of the funding, this studentship is only open to UK-based/home/Republic of Ireland students.

Funding Details:   

• Starts 29 September 2025
• Three-year award
• Funding covers full Home tuition fees plus UKRI stipend (£20,780 for 2025/26) and £500 per annum research costs

How to apply:  

To apply please click the 'Apply' button above, create your account and use the link sent by email to start the application process.   During the application process please select the PhD in Psychology.

*Important notes*

• 1) Please quote the reference ‘DRC25-023’ in the ‘Scholarships applied for’ box which appears within the Funding Section of your on-line application.
• 2) When you are prompted by the online application system, please upload a description of how your background/training relates to work in Health, Psychology, Urinary Tract Infection and/or clinical trials management.

Application Deadline:  18 July 2025

Further Enquiries:  

For further details please contact Dr Katherine Finlay katherine.finlay@reading.ac.uk

Please note that, where a candidate is successful in being awarded funding, this will be confirmed via a formal studentship award letter; this will be provided separately from any Offer of Admission and will be subject to standard checks for eligibility and other criteria.

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