PhD Studentship: Longitudinal Determinants of Mental Well Being Amongst People with Intellectual Disabilities Risk, Protective and Compensatory Factors

The Centre for National Training and Research Excellence in Understanding Behaviour (Centre-UB) is inviting applications for a Doctoral Studentship in association with our collaborative partner The Challenging Behaviour Foundation to start in October 2025. https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/centre-ub/centre-ub

Over 1.2 million people in England have an intellectual disability. People with intellectual disabilities die, on average, 16 years earlier than the general population. The NHS and the Department of Health and Social Care implemented a programme of work to reduce the number of children and adults with intellectual disabilities who are admitted to a psychiatric hospital by improving community-based health and social care services. This programme, called Transforming Care, started over 10-years ago. Unfortunately, targets have not been achieved and a greater understanding and exploration of the specific needs of people with intellectual disabilities is needed to help inform effective service development. Within the NHS Long Term Plan, the government has pledged to do more to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities “live happier, healthier, longer lives”, and as part of this, the government committed to developing a greater understanding of the needs of people with intellectual disabilities.

This PhD has three studies planned. Firstly, a scoping review will be conducted to collate evidence from longitudinal mental wellbeing studies focused on people with intellectual disabilities. Second, a longitudinal trajectory modelling study to identify candidate predictive risk, compensatory, and/or protective factors using the NHS digital Mental Health Services data set. Finally, a further longitudinal trajectory modelling study using the Understanding Society longitudinal data differing from the previous study as the focus will be on the general population of people with intellectual disabilities rather than those that have been placed in psychiatric inpatient care.

It is anticipated that the PhD researcher will spend multiple short blocks of time (2-6 weeks) at the CBF throughout the duration of their funded period including attendance at their national strategy group and their data group meetings.

We are looking for a highly talented and dedicated PhD student with a 1st class or 2:1 degree in the field of Psychology or Statistics. An MSc degree in a relevant area including a substantive quantitative component is essential. Previous experience with research in intellectual disabilities or mental health and/or data analysis with large datasets is desirable.

Application deadline: 5 March 2025

Informal enquiries about the project prior to application can be directed to Dr Paul A Thompson, p.a.thompson@bham.ac.uk

Funding notes:

Centre-UB studentships cover tuition fees, a maintenance stipend, support for research training, as well as research activity support grants. Due to funding stipulations set by UKRI, we are able to recruit up to 30% of international applicants to the cohort each year. 

To be considered for this PhD, please click on the above ‘Apply’ button and follow the instructions here. 

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