Psychology Doctoral Research Studentship: How does a 4 day working week change mind, brain, and body?

I study mind-brain-body interactions, and the biological basis of wellbeing.

Our research group is interested in how lifestyle - in particular, working patterns and employment - affects mental health, physiology, and brain function. We are conducting a major project on the 4 day working week, examining how workplace performance, mental health, and brain function change when employees in local businesses switch from working full-time to working a 4 day week. We are using occupational psychology assessments, wellbeing and mental health questionnaires, physiological measurements, and structural and functional MRI brain scanning to measure the changes that take place when workers reduce time at work with no loss of salary.

I would be delighted to receive PhD applications from students who are interested in understanding how a 4 day working week changes workplace performance, mental health, physiology, and brain function.

The student will have opportunities to learn and use advanced research techniques in occupational psychology, psychophysiology, and MRI brain scanning, applied to a real-world research question.

You can read more about our work on the lab website, and on our Sussex 4 Day Week study project website.

Psychology at Sussex

The School of Psychology at the University of Sussex is one of the largest and most diverse research-intensive psychology schools in the UK with 70+ academic faculty and 90+ PhD students. We were ranked in the top 10 Psychology Schools in the UK in the last Research Excellence Framework (REF) and 91% of our research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent.

What you get

• A stipend for 3 years (tied to the UKRI studentship rates, currently £19,237 per year) to cover living costs.
• UK or International fees are covered for 3 years.
• Research/training costs of £900 per year are also covered for 3 years, and enhanced costs are provided for some neuroscience projects.
• School-funded Postgraduate Researchers have the opportunity to take up Doctoral Tutoring during your PhD with a range of modules to choose from. This work is currently paid at Grade 6 which is currently £17.38 per hour, and covers contact time, preparation and marking.

Eligibility

• Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, a First or a high Upper Second Class Honours undergraduate degree, or equivalent qualification, and/or a Master’s degree in Psychology, Neuroscience or a related discipline.
• The University of Sussex believes that the diversity of its staff and student community is fundamental to creative thinking, pedagogic innovation, intellectual challenge, and the interdisciplinary approach to research and learning. We celebrate and promote diversity, equality and inclusion amongst our staff and students. As such, we welcome applications from all, regardless of personal characteristics or background.
• This award will pay fees at the Home or International rate. International students must move to Sussex for the duration of the PhD and will not be permitted to register as Distance Learners. The studentship does not include additional funding towards the costs of visas or travel to the UK for International students.

How to apply

• Please read our full advert, and our Prospectus before you start your application.
• To discuss the details of your research interests further, please contact Dr Charlotte Rae c.rae@sussex.ac.uk

Deadline: Friday 14 February 2025 (23:59)

Interviews likely to take place week beginning 10 March with with notifications expected early March.

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