About the project
Severe mental illnesses (SMI) such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorders are more common in some groups of people, including those who live in urban areas, those who experience poverty, or several migrants and minority ethnic groups. These links have been explored in previous research, but we still do not know whether social factors are causally related to SMI.
The aim of the PhD studentship is to apply novel causal inference methods in epidemiology to the exploration of the causal role of social determinants of health in SMI. The successful applicant will be trained in advanced epidemiological methods to answer fundamental questions about the causes of social and ethnic inequalities in risk of SMI. Importantly, testing causal mechanisms responsible for the unequal distribution of these psychiatric outcomes will allow the trainee to translate this epidemiological research into effective public mental health.
Aim: Utilise both traditional and novel causal inference methods in epidemiology to examine the mechanisms driving inequalities in SMI across place and migrant status. Our project objectives are:
- To determine whether exposure to social inequalities including deprivation, adverse childhood experiences, urbanisation, and poverty is causally-related to risk of psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorders.
- To determine whether exposure to migrant status – including by generation and refugee status is causally-related to these severe mental illness outcomes.
- To develop and apply novel simulation approaches to investigate the causal mechanisms that may predict severe mental illness risk in people exposed to identified social determinants.
- To develop an online tool to predict the need for mental health services and inform public health planning.
Broadly, this PhD will identify social factors which cause SMI and lead to inequalities across the population. This research can shape public health policies, help design effective ways to prevent SMI, and improve mental health services in areas where they are most needed. Candidate datasets to be used in this PhD training programme will include national register data from Sweden, birth cohort data in England and synthetic datasets for simulation modelling.
Supervision team
The student will be supervised by Dr Jen Dykxhoorn and Prof James Kirkbride within the PsyLife Research Group in the Division of Psychiatry. More about their related research can be found at: www.mentalhealthepi.com and www.psylife.eu. The student will work closely with people with lived experience to shape the research questions and the interpretation of results.
Funding
This is a 4-year PhD studentship funded by a prestigious Mental Health Research UK scholarship to be held in the UCL Division of Psychiatry, commencing October 2023. International tuition fees have been funded by the UCL International Scholar Award for Doctoral Training.
Candidate requirements & eligibility
We are looking for a highly motivated, ambitious and outstanding candidate who wishes to pursue a quantitative PhD in psychiatric epidemiology at UCL. This PhD is open to UK citizens and international applicants, with fees covered in full, plus a stipend at current UKRI rates.
Given the historic underrepresentation of researchers in psychiatric epidemiology from ethnic minority backgrounds and other minoritised groups, we hope to receive a broad range of applicants to this call.
The candidate should have:
- An upper 2:1 or 1st class undergraduate degree;
- A Master’s degree in epidemiology, social or medical statistics, bioinformatics, public health or other closely-related subject area. Applicants due to complete their MSc by the end of 2023 are eligible and should submit their expected and/or realised grades at the time of application. Applicants without an MSc will also be considered in the presence of sufficient relevant training and experience;
- Demonstrable evidence of experience with quantitative methods and statistical modelling of health or related datasets, including use of statistical software (e.g. R or Stata) for advanced statistical analysis of longitudinal data;
- Demonstrable ability to write for scientific audiences
- Demonstrable evidence of critical thinking
- A commitment to pursuing a career in psychiatric epidemiology, causal inference and/or health inequalities.
How to apply
Please submit applications in the following format:
- A CV (2-page maximum, 11pt font minimum), including dates of all university course grades to date (and, where applicable, expected grades).
- A personal statement (1 page maximum, 11pt font minimum) outlining why you are interested in this PhD programme and how you meet the criteria outlined above.
- An excerpt of up to 500 words of your academic writing (if applicable, from a published academic paper (preferably first author, where available), dissertation project or similar). Please state for what purpose the piece was written (towards a degree, publication etc) and provide a DOI for the paper, if published.
- Contact details for two academic or professional referees.
Applications should be emailed to Dr Jen Dykxhoorn: [Email Address Removed]
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the project, please contact Dr Jen Dykxhoorn ([Email Address Removed]) or Prof James Kirkbride ([Email Address Removed]).
Deadline for applications
10 March 2023 at 23:59 GMT
Interviews will take place the week of 20 March 2023 or following the Easter break (13 April 2023) TBC.
Funding notes
Award includes tuition fees (UK or international fee status, as applicable) and a 4-year stipend, beginning at £20,198 for the 2023/24 year (inclusive of London weighting).