Three-year PhD Studentship London, UK
INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION
University of London
PhD Studentship
Three-year PhD Studentship (Full-time) commencing October 2010
Title: Exploring cognitive and genetic explanations for the co-occurrence of autism, ADHD and anxiety symptoms in clinical and in general population samples
Joint supervisors: Prof. Tony Charman (Centre for Research in Autism and Education, Institute of Education, London) & Dr. Angelica Ronald (Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London)
Project details
We are seeking applicants for a joint institution, ESRC/MRC funded 3 year PhD studentship to be based with Tony Charman at the Institute of Education in central London (commencing October 2010). The broad research focus of the studentship will be in the area outlined below but the student will also have the opportunity to pursue their own line of study within this area. The applicant will benefit from joint supervision from both Professor Tony Charman (Institute of Education) and Dr Angelica Ronald (Birkbeck). We are seeking applicants with a strong 2:1 or 1st class undergraduate degree (or Masters) in psychology, neurosciences or other related disciplines. The Studentship includes the standard research council stipend and covers tuition fees. Applicants must meet ESRC eligibility criteria, see:
http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/support/postgraduate_students/studentship_handbook/
Psychiatric disorders, in particular attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety disorders, are commonly comorbid with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Potential explanations include shared genetic and environmental risk factors, as well as shared brain/cognitive deficits. In ASD, however, the underlying source of this comorbidity is not well understood. The student will use two unique extant data samples (the TEDS and SNAP studies) to investigate genetic and environmental (medical science) and cognitive/psychological (social science) mechanisms that might lie behind this comorbidity. To complement these samples the student, supported by the supervisors, will explore associations between individual differences in the same cognitive processes and behavioural traits in a newly-recruited typically developing sample of same age adolescents and samples of children with ASD. Analyses will involve behaviour genetic twin model-fitting to explore questions about the degree to which behaviours characteristic of ASD, ADHD and anxiety have shared genetic and environmental causes; and multivariate modelling of behavioural measures (ASD, ADHD and anxiety symptoms) and cognitive processes (theory of mind, detail processing and executive functions). The studentship will provide the successful applicant with an interdisciplinary training in behavioural genetics, psychiatric and behavioural methods, and in developmental cognitive psychology.
Further Enquiries:
Professor Tony Charman: t.charman@ioe.ac.uk
Funding Details: Studentships will cover Home/EU tuition fees and pay a stipend (£15,290 for 2009/10) for a period of up to 3 years.
Eligibility: Applicants should hold a minimum of a UK Honours Degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in Psychology, Neuroscience or related subjects.
How to apply: Eligible candidates should:
1. Apply for MPhil/PhD at the Institute via UKPASS (details below)
2. Supply a copy of a piece of your own written work. This might be something you have written as coursework, or a publication (either for a peer reviewed journal or something more journalistic such as a student newspaper).
3. Include a current curriculum vitae (CV).
This should be submitted to resdegassist@ioe.ac.uk:
Closing date: Friday 25th June 2010
Interview date: Thursday 1st July 2010
Using UKPASS to apply for MPhil/PhD
If you have not already done so, please make your application for doctoral study via UKPASS: http://www.ukpass.ac.uk/students/howtoapply/using/
UKPASS is an online system for postgraduate applications. You will need to register there for an account, which is free of charge. The link given above leads to the application page of UKPASS: