Childhood adversity is associated with lasting negative mental health outcomes. Identifying mechanisms through which childhood adversity becomes biologically embedded and thereby impacts development is a key focus of clinical and developmental cognitive neuroscience. To date, research has revealed that childhood adversity is associated with alterations in the structural and functional integrity of affective, mnemonic, and cognitive control networks. However, to date most research relies on cross-sectional designs and retrospective reporting, which have critical limitations. Little neuroimaging research has studied individuals whose exposure to adversity was ascertained prospectively, and prospective studies have often focused on extreme forms of adversity, such as institutionalization, which may not generalize to more common forms of adversity.
To address these issues, this multi-disciplinary network neuroscience project will combine cutting-edge high resolution functional and structural brain imaging data acquired in adulthood from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), in combination with detailed childhood adversity data, and advanced network science methods, to allow focused investigation of the impact of type, degree and timing of adversity exposure on the adult structural and functional connectome, thus contributing new knowledge on the systems level mechanisms by which early life adversity impacts adult brain structure and function.
Brain Imaging (CUBRIC) - Our research facilities include one of Europe’s most powerful brain scanners, as well as a purpose-built environment for patients and volunteers taking part in medical research and clinical trials https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/cardiff-university-brain-research-imaging-centre/facilities
The GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP is offering up to 20 funded studentships across a range of biomedical disciplines, with a start date of October 2022
These four-year studentships provide funding for fees and stipend at the rate set by the UK Research Councils, as well as other research training and support costs, and are available to UK, EU and International students.
About the GW4 BioMed2 Doctoral Training Partnership
The partnership brings together the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff (lead) and Exeter to develop the next generation of biomedical researchers. Students will have access to the combined research strengths, training expertise and resources of the four research-intensive universities, with opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary and 'team science'.
The DTP already has over 90 studentships over 6 cohorts in it’s first phase.
The 80 projects available for application, are aligned to the following themes;
• Infection, Immunity, Antimicrobial Resistance and Repair
• Neuroscience and Mental Health
• Population Health Sciences
Applications open on 11st October 2021 and close at 5.00pm on 26th November 2021.
Residency: The GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP studentships are available to UK and International applicants. Following Brexit, the UKRI now classifies EU students as international. The GW4 partners have all agreed to cover the difference in costs between home and international tuition fees. This means that international candidates will not be expected to cover this cost and will be fully funded, but need to be aware that they will be required to cover the cost of their student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD. All studentships will be competitively awarded and there is a limit to the number of International students that we can accept into our programme (up to 30% cap across our partners per annum).
How to Apply
A list of all the projects and how to apply is available on our website at gw4biomed.ac.uk. You may apply for up to 2 projects.
Please complete an application to the GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP for an ‘offer of funding’. You may also need to make an 'offer to study' to your chosen institution(s) – further details are on the website.
Please complete the online application form by 5.00pm on 26th November 2021. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be notified by 28th January 2022. Interviews will be held virtually on 16th and 17th February 2022.
Further Information
For informal enquiries, please contact [Email Address Removed]
For project related queries, please contact the respective supervisors listed on the projects.
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