PhD Studentship in Family Psychology

This fully funded PhD studentship provides a unique opportunity to join a vibrant, collaborative research team in Psychology at the University of Sussex as we launch the third phase of the UK’s landmark longitudinal study of single mothers by choice and their children, who are now entering adulthood.

Single mothers by choice—women who build their families through sperm donation—represent a growing and increasingly visible family form worldwide. Our research, which began at the University of Cambridge's Centre for Family Research, has followed these families for more than a decade, examining parenting quality, parent–child relationships, and children’s psychological adjustment. Findings from the project have contributed to significant national and international policy and practice developments relating to family diversity and donor conception.

In this third phase of the study, the PhD researcher will play a central role in collecting and analysing both qualitative and quantitative data from mothers and their now adult children. Given the practical and societal relevance of the project, this studentship is particularly well suited to applicants who are motivated by research with real-world relevance and policy impact.

Candidates should have a background in developmental psychology and an interest in family diversity. Candidates with intersecting areas of interest (e.g., developmental AND applied social psychology) are strongly encouraged to apply. There is scope to shape the doctoral project around your own theoretical interests or methodological strengths.

For all enquiries, please contact Dr Sophie Zadeh, Reader in Family Psychology, Sussex University: sophie.zadeh@sussex.ac.uk

Please apply using the Online Portal which will guide you through the application process.

Deadline: 20 February 2026 23:30

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