PhD Studentship in Psychology

Project title: Investigating Nutritional Approaches to Stress, Mood, and Cognitive Performance in Healthy Adults

Supervisors: Dr Daniel Lamport, Prof Claire Williams, Dr Piril Hepsomali

Project Overview:   

We are seeking a talented and enthusiastic graduate with a background in Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience or related disciplines.

Stress is increasingly common in young and working-age adults and can negatively affect mood, sleep, cognitive performance, and overall wellbeing. Identifying safe and accessible approaches that may help individuals cope more effectively with stress is therefore an important research priority.

In recent years, growing evidence has suggested that nutrition may influence brain function, mood, stress responses, and sleep. Nutritional compounds with neuroactive and vascular properties may help support cognitive performance and emotional wellbeing during periods of psychological stress. Previous studies from our research group have shown promising effects of a plant-derived nutritional supplement on cognitive performance, mood, and blood flow during mentally demanding tasks, suggesting it may help people feel calmer and perform better under stress.

This PhD project will investigate whether a plant-derived nutritional supplement can improve calmness, mood, and stress responses during an experimentally induced stressful situation in healthy adults.

Eligibility: 

• Applicants should hold or expect to gain a minimum of a 2:1 bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience or a related discipline.
• An MSc (merit or distinction) in a relevant subject would also be advantageous.
• Due to the nature of the funding this studentship is open to candidates who qualify for Home fee status only. For further information on fee status, please see UKCISA guidance.

Funding Details:   

• Maintenance allowance of £21,805 per year
• UK/Republic of Ireland tuition fees covered
• 3-year duration
• Starts October 2026 

How to apply:   

To apply click the above 'Apply' button and 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 ‘DRC26-081’ in the ‘Scholarships applied for’ box which appears within the Funding Section of your on-line application.
2. If the application system prompts you to submit a research proposal, please paste in the project title and move on to the next step in the application.

Application Deadline: 19 July 2026

Further Enquiries:  

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. 

For further details please contact Dr Daniel Lamport (Daniel.Lamport@reading.ac.uk)

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