PhD Studentship in quantitative genetics of neurodevelopment

The student will have the opportunity to work on a project analysing data from large-scale longitudinal and developmental cohorts with a focus on infant and child phenotypes. The goals will be to investigate the common genetic architecture underlying neurodevelopment, both as continuous traits and clinically-diagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions. Datasets come from national and international collaborations with the supervisory team and include some of the leading data world-wide for understanding early neurodevelopment in diverse ancestries.  During the PhD, the student will be able to gain high-level skills in R, coding, multiple genetic software packages and in conducting transparent, pre-registered, high-quality research.  The student will be encouraged to publish their research in high-impact leading peer reviewed journals and to present their work at relevant national and international conferences. The student will be encouraged to embed their research within theoretical approaches. They will be supported in accessing and interpreting past literature through journal clubs, available training in using biomedical search engines and conducting literature reviews.  

The student will be part of a lab team and can participate in science dissemination activities, meetings, journal clubs and lab socials.  The student will be encouraged to gain networking skills in their field of research and to gain skills in written and oral presentations. Postgraduate activities within the University of Surrey and within the London Genetics Network will also be available to them.

The first supervisor, Professor Ronald, is an expert in the field of genetic influences of neurodevelopmental conditions and traits. She has >20 years’ experience of genetic research and >135 publications. In 2020, Professor Ronald co-founded the London Genetics Network, which has >330 members from >30 institutions (including Surrey) in London and the surrounding areas. Professor Pluess will also act as second supervisor: he brings extensive experience in research on child development in a range of settings and countries. His research employs a range of measurement approaches and is known for addressing both psychopathology and positive psychology within the field of child development.

Supervisors: Professor Angelica Ronald and Professor Michael Pluess

Entry requirements

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information. Starting in October 2024.

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our Psychology PhD programme.

Essential criteria include i) a 2.1 or above undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, such as psychology, biology, human genetics ii) an MSc in a relevant subject involving human genetic research or child development research iii) Prior experience working with statistical packages including R and knowledge of statistics for psychology or genetics iv) Clear motivation and passion for research on neurodevelopment/ neurodevelopmental conditions in infants and children. Desirable (but not essential) criteria include i)  Prior experience analysing genome-wide data or analyses with polygenic scores (during your undergraduate, MSc or other previous roles) ii) experience saving and annotating coded scripts iii) experience consulting with, or representing, advocates in research. 

How to apply

Applications should be submitted via the Psychology PhD programme page. In place of a research proposal, you should upload a document stating the title of the project that you wish to apply for and the name of the relevant supervisor.