PhD Studentship in Paediatric Mental Health
A 3-year PhD Studentship funded by Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity and Beryl Alexander Charity is available within the Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. The project will start in, or after, April 2021. The student will work on the implementation of a drop-in centre for common mental health problems in children with chronic physical illnesses (https://gospsychmed.wixsite.com/drop-in-centre). The drop-in centre has been evaluated as part of an innovate research project at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children with significant success. This PhD will support and evaluate its implementation in other centres across the UK, under the supervision of Dr. Sophie Bennett, Dr. Anna Coughtrey and Professor Roz Shafran.
Exceptional interpersonal skills, an excellent telephone manner, good writing skills and attention to detail are essential for this role as the student will be in constant communication with families and clinicians. Some flexible working on evenings and/or weekends will be required.
The Psychological-medicine clinical team at Great Ormond Street Hospital works together with the research team at UCL GOS Institute of Child Health to carry out research for patient benefit. Our research is aimed at improving mental health care for children with severe physical illnesses. Specifically, the team are interested in developing and evaluating psychological interventions for these young people. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work together as part of a high-profile research team including Professor Roz Shafran and Professor Isobel Heyman.
Applicants should have, or expect to receive a first class or upper second class degree. The student will receive a starting stipend of £17,432 per annum (including London weighting) as well as the cost of tuition fees for UK students (applicants who do not have pre-Settled or Settled status within the UK can apply but will have to personally fund the difference between the Home rate and the overseas rate). Further information on post-Brexit arrangements for students can be found on the ‘UCL and Brexit’ website.
UCL is London’s leading multidisciplinary university with a thriving research community. In the recent 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF2014) UCL was rated the top university in the UK for research strength and the best research environment.
To apply, please send a copy of your CV (including details of two academic referees) and a covering letter to Dr Sophie Bennett (sophie.bennett.10@ucl.ac.uk). Enquiries regarding the post can be made to Dr. Sophie Bennett sophie.bennett.10@ucl.ac.uk, Dr. Anna Coughtrey anna.coughtrey.10@ucl.ac.uk or Professor Roz Shafran, r.shafran@ucl.ac.uk.
Deadline for receipt of applications: 15th January 2021
Interview date: 27th/28th January 2021