PhD Studentship: Using sleep-based memory cues to support recovery from stressful memories

The GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape Programme is offering up to 18 MRC funded studentships across a range of biomedical disciplines, with a start date of October 2027.

These four-year studentships provide funding for fees and stipend at the rate set by the UKRI, as well as other research training and support costs, and are available to UK and International students.

This project is in competition for place with the projects across the MRC GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape Award studentships.  There are a total of 18 studentships available across the partnership.  

Many people who experience trauma go on to develop PTSD, and while talking therapies are effective, not everyone fully recovers. We examine whether sleep can be used to improve trauma therapy. When we sleep, the brain naturally strengthens what we have learned during the day. Using a gentle sound played during deep sleep, linked to a therapy session, we aim to help the brain hold on to the progress made in therapy. The student will use wearable sleep technology that assesses the brain activity at home and explore why some people benefit more than others using cutting edge mathematical modelling.

These studentships are funded through GW4 BioMed3 MRC Doctoral Landscape Programme and consist of UK tuition fees, as well as a Doctoral Stipend matching UK Research Council National Minimum (£21, 805 p.a. for 2026/27, updated each year).

Additional research training and support funding of up to £5,000 per annum is also available.

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